Ulster 25
Connacht 25
Dave Merwin reports from Kingspan Stadium
INDIA DALEY and substitute Vicky Irvine inspired Ulster to stage a late two-point attack that saw them close to a 14-point deficit to draw 25-1 with Connacht at Kingspan Stadium.
A young Connacht side led by Emer O'Dowd took home three points, with Meabh Deeley scoring two of her four tries, but a first win in the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship eluded them.
Ulster, who had a comfortable win over the West side last year, rallied in the final quarter with Brittany Hogan being named player of the match. Daley (73') and Stacey Sloan (78') were among the first to be awarded the game, with Irvine adding both conversions and his share of the win.
Faith Oviawe's third try of the tournament, added to a Hannah Clarke-inspired score from Diley, saw Connacht cancel out two Abbie Moyles penalties to take a 10-6 lead at half-time.
Donegal native Laoise McGonagle touched down against her home province but Ulster responded quickly thanks to an impressive individual effort from Lucy Thompson, who was making her first senior start.
Despite Deeley making a pass and scoring a penalty to take her contribution to 15 points, Connacht's 25-11 lead was ultimately not enough as Murray Houston's resilient side ended a thrilling seven-try game on their own terms.
Ulster now have four points and head to a home game next Saturday against Leinster, who are still in contention to reach the final on August 31. Connacht will need a strong performance against Munster at Dexcombe Stadium if they are to reach the decider.
ULSTER: Lauren Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC); Lucy Thompson (Enniskillen RFC), Catherine Martin (Blackrock College RFC), Tara O'Neill (Cooke RFC), Peyta McAllister (Malone RFC); Abbie Moyles (Blackrock College RFC), Catherine Dane (Old Belvedere RFC) (captain); Bronagh Cassidy (Queen's University Belfast RFC), India Daly (Enniskillen RFC/Blackrock College RFC), Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Railway Union RFC), Brenda Barr (Suttonians RFC), Kara O'Kane (Cooke RFC), Moya Hill (Enniskillen RFC), Mabe Clenaghan (Queen's University Belfast RFC), Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC).
Substitutions used: Megan Brodie (Blackrock College RFC) for Cassidy (21 mins), Ava Fannin (Blackrock College RFC) for Barrett (35), Stacey Sloan (Cooke RFC) for M Hill, Rachel McIlroy (Queen's University Belfast RFC) for Dane, Barrett for Fannin (all 50s), Vicky Irvine (Sale Sharks) for O'Neill (57), Gemma McCamley (Cooke RFC) for O'Kane (62), Cassidy for Brodie (66), Christy Hill (Ballymena RFC) for Clenaghan, Paige Smith (Ballynahinch RFC) for Moyles (both 70s).
CONNACHT: Méabh Deeley (Blackrock College RFC); Hannah Clarke (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/Galwegians RFC), Orla Dixon (Galwegians RFC), Eabha Nic Donnacha (UL Bohemian RFC), Laoise McGonagle (UL Bohemian RFC); Nicole Foley (Galwegians RFC) (co-captain), Gráinne Moran (Ballina RFC); Ella Burns (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), Lily Brady (UL Bohemian RFC), Megan Collis (Railway Union RFC), Carly Tierney (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), Grace Brown Moran (Galwegians RFC), Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC), Beibhinn Gleeson (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), Shannon Toohey (Tullamore RFC) (co-captain).
Substitutions used: May Goulding (Saracens) for Moran (31 mins), Roisin Maher (Galvegians) for Collis (half time), Rosie Searle (Navan) for Brown Moran (62), Molly Booth (Tuam/Aughterard) for McGonagle, Jemima Adams Werling (Craggs) for Gleeson (both 70), Stacey Hanley (Galvegians) for Brady, Hope Lowney (Manchester United) for Burns (both 74). Not used: Ava Ryder (Railway Union).
Judge: Dermot Blake (IRFU)