After weathering the early Connacht attack, Ulster grew quickly into the game. An early penalty was missed by Abby Moyles, but that didn't let the home side from stopping their positive momentum. Minutes later they made their good territory and possession count, with tighthead prop, Sophie Barrett, find space to drive through and finish. The try marked a special week for the talented 20 year-old, who received her first call up to the Ireland Women's squad earlier in the week.
Abby Moyles didn't let the earlier miss get to her, and she dispatched the conversion for the early 0-7 lead.
Connacht then started to make inroads into the Ulster half, getting into the Ulster 22, only for some decisive defence to stop them. Lauren Farrell McCabe making one superb recovery tackle, just as it looked like the Connacht lock, Faith Oviawe, looked clear.
Ulster hooker, India Daley, showed her ability too, carrying well into the Connacht half after a lineout in the Ulster own 22 that had the potential to be troublesome.
Murray Houston's side had a scare after Meabh Deely looked to have burst through the defence for an easy score, however the referees checked the replays and it confirmed that the ball had been dropped over the line.
After that narrow escape, the contest changed into a different match completely. Captain, Brittany Hogan, who as usual was getting through an incredible amount of work in the opening half hour, was sent off for her tackle on Grace Browne. The red was given for lifting the player off the floor and into the ground.
It was a devastating blow for Ulster, with Hogan being a vital cog in the Ulster team.
Connacht attacked straight from that decision, and won themselves a penalty from only a few metres out. Ulster's centre, Lucinda Kinghan, was shown a yellow for illegally blocking.
Edel McMahon then finished off the attack, after being fed well by her fly-half, Nicole Fowley. Fowley then converted to draw the score level.
Before the interval, Connacht grabbed their second, after lock, Oviawe, crashed over the Ulster tryline, after the ball was worked wide following a five metre penalty. Nicole Fowley again with the try assist.
Fowley's conversion brought the whistle for half time.
HT: Connacht 14-7 Ulster
The second half started well for Ulster, who welcomed Lucinda Kinghan back to the field to have 14 players on the pitch.
After a few attacking phases, Ulster attacked from a penalty from five metres out. Maebh Clenaghan drove towards the line and managed to pop the ball out to Abby Moyles, who was in the right space at the right time to dot down.
Moyles's conversion pinged off the left post, leaving the scoreline at a tight 14-12.
Connacht replied with a fantastic individual effort from winger, Hannah Clarke, who chipped the ball and chased it down, collecting for a well executed score in Ulster's left corner.
Fowley's kick from the left touchline was wide of the posts.
The 14 players of Ulster never gave up getting back into the game, and that effort paid off with Abby Moyles notching her second of the match. The fly-half, catching Connacht asleep from a tap and go penalty to finish with the outstretched arm.
Moyles converted to make the scoreline level at 19-19.
With the clock ticking, Connacht made good use of their player advantage in the hot afternoon sunshine. A second converted try of the game from the player of the match, Faith Oviawe, gave Connacht extra breathing space before Beibhinn Gleeson drove over the line at the death to end the contest.
It was a disappointing end to the campaign for Murray Houston's side, however they could take huge credit for their competitiveness throughout the competition and their performance today, being a player down for over an hour of the match.
FT: Connacht 33-19 Ulster
Scorers
Ulster:
TRY: Barrett, Moyles x2
CON: Moyles x2
Connacht:
TRY: McMahon, Oviawe x2, Clarke, Gleeson
CON: Fowley x4
Teams
Ulster:
(15-9): Lauren Farrell - McCabe, Lucy Thompson, Catherine Martin, Lucinda Kinghan, Megan Edwards, Abby Moyles, Rachael McIlroy
(1-8): Ava Fannin, India Daley, Sophie Barrett, Brenda Barr, Cara O'Kane, Moya Hill, Maebh Clenaghan, Brittany Hogan (C)
Replacements: Christy Hill, Bronach Cassidy, Megan Brodie, Ellen Patterson, Stacey Sloan, Paige Smyth, Lauren Patterson, Peita McAlister (VC)
Reserve: Megan Simpson
Connacht:
15\. Meabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC)<br>
14. Ava Ryder (Railway Union RFC) (Vice-Captain)<br>
13. Orla Dixon (Galwegians RFC)<br>
12. Sarah Purcell (Creggs RFC)<br>
11. Hannah Clarke (Tuam Oughterard RFC/Galwegians RFC)<br>
10. Nicole Fowley (Galwegians RFC) (Co-Captain)<br>
9. Grainne Moran (Ballina RFC)<br>
1. Ella Burns (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)<br>
2. Lily Brady (UL Bohemians RFC)<br>
3. Megan Collis (Railway Union RFC)<br>
4. Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC)<br>
5. Grace Browne Moran (Galwegians RFC)<br>
6. Beibhinn Gleeson (Tuam/Oughterard RFC)<br>
7. Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs) <br>
8. Shannon Touhey (Tullamore RFC) (Co-Captain)
16\. Stacy Hanley (Galwegians RFC)<br>
17. Ellen Connolly (Galwegians RFC)<br>
18. Roisin Maher (Galwegians RFC)<br>
19. Poppy Garvey (Sligo Rugby)<br>
20. Orla Fenton (Galwegians RFC)<br>
21. May Goulding (Saracens)<br>
22. Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (UL Bohemians RFC)<br>
23. Emily Foley (Ballina RFC)