Advertisement
Craig Gilroy breaks through for an Ulster try Presseye/Darren Kidd/INPHO
tight

Ulster prevail despite late Connacht fightback

Aly Muldowney’s 67th-minute try — converted by Jack Carty — ensured a tense finish.

Ulster 13

Connacht 10

ULSTER EARNED A hard-fought 13-10 victory over Connacht in the Guinness Pro12 encounter in Belfast this evening.

Winger Craig Gilroy gave his side the advantage with a try early on, crossing over on 20 minutes, meaning the hosts went in at half-time 10-3 ahead.

Paddy Jackson’s second penalty of the evening after the break extended their advantage, but an Aly Muldowney 67th-minute try — converted by Jack Carty — ensured a tense finish.

Connacht heaped further pressure on their opponents in the dying stages, however Ulster held on for a victory, sending them above Leinster into fourth place in the Pro12 table as a result.

In difficult conditions, a penalty apiece from Jackson and Carty kept the sides’ level in the opening few minutes, with the former making up for a miss earlier in the game.

Gilroy then scored the game’s first try, evading a number of Connacht players before diving over, having been set up by Jackson.

After some initial Ulster pressure in the second half, the visitors rallied, and were rewarded with 13 minutes remaining, when Muldowney capitalised after a strong drive from the Connacht forwards.

Nevertheless, it was too little too late for Pat Lam’s side, as Ulster defended manfully in the remaining minutes to secure a morale-boosting three-point win.

Ulster scorers:

Try: Craig Gilroy

Conversions: Paddy Jackson

Penalties: Paddy Jackson (2)

Connacht scorers:

Try: Aly Muldowney

Conversions: Jack Carty

Penalties: Jack Carty

ULSTER: Louis Ludik; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Stuart Olding, Peter Nelson; Paddy Jackson; Paul Marshall; Callum Black, Rob Herring, Wiehahn Herbst; Dan Tuohy, Franco van der Merwe; Robbie Diack, Clive Ross, Roger Wilson (captain).

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Declan Fitzpatrick, Alan O’Connor, Sean Reidy, Michael Heaney, Ian Humphreys, Michael Allen.

CONNACHT: Darragh Leader; Danie Poolman, Bundee Aki, Dave McSharry, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, John Cooney; Ronan Loughney, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham; Quinn Roux, Aly Muldowney; John Muldoon (captain), Willie Faloon, George Naoupu.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Denis Buckley, Rodney Ah You, Ultan Dillane, Eoghan Masterson, Kieran Marmion, Craig Ronaldson, Mils Muliaina.

Awkward! Ravenhill PA plays ‘Sweet Caroline’ during Rory McIlroy’s BBC interview>

‘You get what you deserve’ – Anthony Foley full of praise for Munster following win>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
15
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.