Ulster Senior Women ended their 2026 Vodafone Interprovincial Championship on a high, after a dominant 29-10 play-off victory to clinch 3rd place against Connacht at Dexcom Stadium.
In a superb team performance, Ulster managed the contest and rainy conditions against the home side, with a strong defence and a clinical attack.
Ulster's senior Ireland internationals such as Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan and Claire Boles provided the experience and driving force, with Ulster's entire team fighting for everything.
Young talents such as Caitlin Crowe, Moya Hill, Olivia McKinley and Rebecca Beacom showed maturity beyond their years in a highly pressured match.
The match started off in the worst way possible for the away side however, as Connacht raced to an early lead with only a minute on the clock.
Winger Aoife Heaney, was able to break away from inside her own half and beat two tacklers out wide to finish in the corner for an early try. Deely's conversion attempt was missed.
Ulster responded immediately, with a penalty in the breakdown that Abby Moyles kicked into the corner to set up the lineout.
Clenaghan's throw in was collected well by Tuite O'Sullivan and the forward pack drove towards the Connacht tryline.
With Ulster inches away, young lock Olivia McKinley scored with a well taken pick and go. That made it two tries in two weeks for the lock, who only made her first senior start in Round 3 against Leinster.
Abby Moyles struck an excellent conversion to edge Ulster out in front at 5-7.
The away side kept their foot on the gas, and were back into Connacht territory after great carries from centre, Caitlin Crowe, and Tuite-O'Sullivan.
After another penalty awarded inside the Connacht 22, Moyles again went to the corner and Ulster geared up for another set piece assault.
Clengahan's throw was well taken in by Tuite O'Sullivan, and the hooker was able to dot down from the back of the driving maul.
The conversion attempt was put wide but Ulster were good value for their 5-12 lead.
The Westerners would respond on the 12th minute, with fly-half Deely producing a try after a penalty advantage close to the Ulster whitewash.
The conversion attempt went wide and Ulster now had a slender lead of two points.
In a frantic opening period, Ulster had momentum, and went close again to a third try in the 20th minute, only for Clenaghan to knock on while going for the score.
Just three minutes later, the hooker wasn't to be denied again, as she dotted down from another Ulster lineout maul attack from the 5m line for her second try of the match.
Moyles' kick went unconverted for a scoreline of 10-17.
Ulster's forward pack were putting in a dominant display, with Connacht unable to answer their set piece prowess.
In the 28th minute, a superb 50:22 from Abbey Moyles put the away team in Connacht's 22, with an attacking opportunity once again.
After multiple phases of attacking possession, the ruck ball was worked from scrum-half Rachael McIlroy to Moyles, who then found Niamh Marley out on the left wing.
Marley showed speed and determination to produce the finish and break the tackling efforts of the Connacht defence for Ulster's fourth try of the half.
Ulster's ball handling was key to their clinical entries, with the home side struggling to build any momentum in their game.
At half-time, Ulster took a 24-10 lead into the break.
HT Connacht 10-24 Ulster
Connacht came out for the second half looking to spark a comeback and immediately set off on the front foot.
Only two minutes into the second half, Connacht went close to scoring but after stubborn Ulster defence, the ball was knocked on in contact.
Connacht then had a penalty advantage from ten metres out to attack from, however their pass out wide was then knocked on for an Ulster scrum.
In the 45th minute, Ulster could sense a confidence boosting moment, as replacement prop Sophie Barrett helped to win a scrum penalty, with the Ulster forward pack continuing to find their edge at the set piece.
Ulster were continuing frustrate the home side when out of possession, with their aggressive defensive line speed.
Lock, Olivia McKinley, produced another big moment when she forced a turnover of possession.
Sensing the momentum was with them, Ulster started to build more with the ball, and captain Claire Boles was a driving force in this, gaining vital metres with her ball carrying.
Murray Houston's side were keeping Connacht pinned and under pressure, with their scrum proving to be a dominant force.
In tricky wet conditions, Ulster managed the conditions well and utilised Abby Moyles' kicking game to test Connacht's backfield.
With replacement number eight, Stacey Sloan, on for her final appearance in an Ulster jersey, the long-serving player was instrumental in Ulster fifth try in the 74th minute.
After a strong carry from the back of a scrum by Sloan, Ulster were on the attack and stretching the Westerners just outside their 22.
Fly-half Abby Moyles then produced a cross-field kick that bounced perfectly into the onrushing replacement back, Siobhan Sheerin, who was able to race clear and put the result beyond doubt.
Moyles' conversion attempt was put wide, but with only a handful of minutes left, Ulster knew they could manage the game and see out a well-earned victory on the road.
When the final whistle went, Ulster's players went into celebrations after their hard-earned victory.
After the disappointment of tough defeats against Munster and Leinster in the last two rounds, the victory was the perfect way to respond and showcase the abilities of the team.
FT: Connacht 10-29 Ulster
Scorers
Connacht:
TRY: Heaney, Deely
Ulster:
TRY: Clenaghan (2), McKinley, Marley, Sheerin
CON: Moyles (2)
Vodafone Player of the Match- Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan
A performance that showcased her ability and top-level experience.
The lock was strong in gaining metres for her team, tackling and showing leadership around the set pieces.
Teams
Ulster:
- Sarah Roberts (Queens RFC), 2. Maebh Clenaghan (Queens RFC), 3. Sadhbh McGrath (Queens RFC), 4. Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan (Old Belvedere RFC), 5. Olivia McKinney (Banbridge RFC), 6. Moya Hill (Enniskillen RFC), 7. Rebecca Beacom (Enniskillen RFC) 8. Claire Boles (C) (Railway Union RFC), 9. Rachael McIlroy (Queens RFC)10. Abby Moyles (Blackrock College RFC), 11. Niamh Marley (Queens RFC), 12. Leah Irwin (Enniskillen RFC), 13. Caitlin Crowe (Virginia RFC), 14. Katie Gilmour (Cooke RFC), 15. Ella Durkan (Blackrock College RFC)
Replacements:
16. Emily Whittle (Queens RFC), 17. Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC), 18. Ava Fannin (Blackrock College RFC), 19. Ellen Patterson (Queens RFC), 20. Stacey Sloan (Enniskillen RFC), 21. Georgia Boyce (Cooke RFC), 22. Siobhan Sheerin (Clogher Valley RFC), 23. Rebecca Mann (Queens RFC)
Connacht:
(15-9) Clara Barrett; Aoife Heaney, Anna McGann, Lyndsay Clarke, Clare Gorman; Méabh Deely, Aoibheann Reilly (co-capt);
(1-8) Ella Burns, Stacy Hanley, Lily Morris, Faith Oviawe, Poppy Garvey, Emma Kelly, Ailish Quinn (co-capt), Jemima Adams Verling.
Replacements: Kara Mulcahy, Evie Kennedy, Hannah Coen, Emma Fabby, Róisín Power, Emily Foley, Síofra Hession, Sarah Purcell.