Ulster fights back and draws against Connacht

Women's Interprovincial Championship

Ulster (6) 25

Try: Thompson, Daley, Sloan Disadvantages: Irvine (2) Pens: Moyles (2)

Connacht (10) 25

Try: Deely (2), Oviawe, McGonagle Disadvantages: Deely Pen: Deely

Ulster overcame a 14-point deficit in the final ten minutes to draw 25-25 with Connacht in the Women's Interprovincial Championship at Kingspan Stadium.

Four tries from the visitors earned Connacht their bonus point with half an hour to go, but victory eluded them as Brittany Hogan led Ulster's comeback and late tries from India Daley and substitute Stacey Sloan, both converted by Vicky Irwin, snatched a draw.

While Western Province will no doubt be disappointed to surrender what seemed a safe lead after being the better side for much of the game, it was further evidence of the strength of character shown by the Ulster side who came from 17-0 down to claim two bonus points in last week's defeat to Munster.

Having ended an 11-year wait for an Interpro win against the same opponents last season, Ulster started the game confidently, enjoying more possession in the early periods.

Sophie Barrett's great counter-attack and throw should have resulted in the first goal, but Kathryn Dane was brought down just before the finish line.

Instead, Ulster had to settle for a penalty from the early pressure when Abby Moyles scored from a tee after Connacht failed to roll away at the breakdown.

However, Connacht continued to dominate the second and third quarters of the game.

Nicole Fowley's probing kicking game has always posed a challenge for Ulster's defence, but Connacht's problems at the line-out meant they were unable to make the most of their own early chances.

But it was clear that Connacht were slowly getting into things and really putting Ulster under pressure as they moved the ball quickly into the six-yard box. One such attack from the width helped Connacht break through in the 23rd minute.

Hannah Clarke, who had only been called up to the starting line-up on matchday, was responsible for the goal.

After taking the ball from Laoise McGonagle, she went into one tackle and through another before sending Meabh Deely through to goal.

Moyles responded with a second penalty to put Ulster back in front, but it was clear which side had the momentum and Connacht looked to be taking control of the game, with goals either side of half-time.

Five minutes before half-time, Faith Oviawe scored a try from her own half, which was a fine individual effort, although Ulster were again disappointed with their tackling beforehand.

Breakdown steals by Tara O'Neill and India Daley gave Ulster the opportunity to counterattack, but they entered the game trailing 10-6 on the turn.

But the second half began in much the same way as the first had ended: Laoise McGonagle scored in the corner after another sharp pass exchange by the visitors.

Ulster desperately needed a response and got it through Lucy Thompson, who burst through a gap and brilliantly managed not to set foot out of play on her way across the finish line.

After Ulster advanced from their own scrum, Connacht executed a planned move which saw Deely break the Ulster line and score their second goal with just under half an hour to go.

Hogan, the man of the match, was coming into the foreground and Vicky Irwin, coming on as a substitute, brought fresh momentum to the game. With seven minutes left, India Daley fired over from close range and Irwin's conversion brought Ulster back to within a converted try.

It was Irwin's breakthrough and forward kick that took Ulster right back into the Connacht area, with Daley carrying the ball strongly before Stacey Sloan burst across the line and finished strongly as Connacht tried to get under the ball.

With just 90 seconds left on the clock and the deciding game on the line, the conversion attempt was not a foregone conclusion, but Irwin again made no mistake on the tee shot to secure a share of the spoils.

Ulster, who have four points from two games, face Leinster next weekend.

Ulster: Farrell McCabe; Thompson, Martin, O'Neill, McAlister; Moyles, Dane (captain); Cassidy, Daley, Barrett; Barr, O'Kane; Hill, Clenaghan, Hogan.

Substitute: Hill, Brodie, Fannin, McCamley, Sloan, McIlroy, Smyth, Irwin.

Connacht: Deely; Clarke, Dixon, Nic Dhonnacha, McGonagle; Fowley (co-captain), Moran; Burns, Brady, Collis; Tierney, Browne-Moran; Oviawe, Gleeson, Touhey (co-captain)

Substitute: Hanley, Lowney, Maher, Adams-Verling, Searle, Goulding, Ryder, Bush.