Ulster Woman’s Senior team fell to an agonising defeat to Connacht in their opening VodaFone Interprovincial match at the Affidea Stadium.
Murray Houston’s side showed plenty of endeavour and industry over the 80 minutes, but in the end their brave effort just fell short.
Connacht got off to the best possible start when after only 4 minutes Anna McGann went over for the game’s opening try.
Fly-half Meabh Deely’s cross field kick to McGann was inch-perfect, and the Connacht winger raced down the outside channel of the Ulster defence to touchdown in the corner.
Ulster quickly recovered from that early setback with winger Siobhan Sheerin proving to be a constant thorn in the side of the Connacht defence with her strong carries, while centre Caitlin Crowe showed no signs of nerves on her senior debut.
Connacht received a blow in the 20th minute when Kara Mulchay was sent to the sin bin. The visitor’s hooker failing to retreat the required 10 metres after Ulster’s Rachael McIlroy took a quick tap penalty.
It didn’t take Ulster long to make use of their numerical advantage and within a few minutes of Mulchay’s yellow card, Houston’s side were back on level terms.
Ulster, gaining momentum from a maul, set-up camp along the Connacht line, and just when the opportunity of a score looked to have been passed up, captain Clare Boles sneaked over for the all-important score.
Chances were limited in the second quarter but with both defences on top, the was nothing to separate the teams at the break.
Half-time: Ulster 5-5 Connacht
Ulster were dealt a blow at the beginning of the second half with injuries seeing the early withdrawal of Sadhbh McGrath and Fiona Tuite.
But Sarah Roberts and Katie Hetherington proved more than capable replacements for the Irish international duo.
After absorbing some early Connacht pressure during the early stages of the second half, Ulster gained some go-forward ball with winger Sheerin and Naimh Marley both making huge inroads into the Connacht 22.
And after building pressure through continuous phases of play, Ulster took the lead for the first time when after prop Sophie Barrett manged to touch the ball down despite the presence of three Connacht tacklers.
That score sparked Connacht into life, and in the 62nd minute the Westerners were back in front.
For the second time in the game, McGann proved to be too much for the Ulster defence. This time the Connacht winger stepped off her wing to cut inside and level the tie at 10-all.
Meabh Deely’s conversion sneaked Connacht ahead and set-up a nail-bitting finish.
With 10 minutes remaining, Connacht extended their lead through a Deely penalty after Ulster were penalised for crossing, leaving themselves with a huge task in front of them with time running out.
As the clocked ticked ever closer to 80 minutes, Ulster were unable to muster that one final chance that might have brought them the victory, and in the end, Connacht held on to claim an opening day win.
Full-time: Ulster 10-15 Connacht
Scorers:
Ulster:
Tries – Boles, Barrett,
Connacht:
Tries – McGann (2),
Cons – Deely
Pens – Deely,
Teams
Ulster Rugby:
15. Niamh Marley, 14. Katie Gilmour, 13, Caitlin Crowe, 12. Lucy Thompson, 11. Siobhan Sheerin, 10. Abby Moyles, 9. Rachael McIlroy, 1. Sadhbh McGrath, 2. Maebh Clenaghan, 3. Sophie Barrett, 4. Fiona Tuite, 5. Rebecca Beacom, 6. Moya Hill, 7. Christy Hill, 8. Claire Boles.
Replacements:
16. Emily Whittle, 17. Sarah Roberts, 18. Ava Fannin, 19. Ellen Patterson, 20. Katie Hetherington, 21. Amy McConkey, 22. Leah Irwin, 23. Ella Durkan.
Connacht:
15. Cara Barrett, 14. Anna McGann, 13. Lyndsay Clarke, 12. Siofra Hession, 11. Ava Ryder, 10. Meabh Deely, 9. Aoibheann Reilly, 1. Ella Burns, 2. Kara Mulcahy, 3. Lily Morris, 4. Faith Oviame, 5. Emma Fabby, 6. Emma Kelly, 7. Ailish Quinn, 8. Jemima Adams Verling.
Replacements:
16. Stacy Hanley, 17. Laura Scuffil, 18. Hannah Rapley, 19. Olivia Tallon, 20. Hannah Johnston, 21. Gráinne Moran, 22. Alanna Fitzpatrick, 23. Emily Foley.