Connacht have come out on top against Ulster in Round 3 of the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship with a 29-24 hard-fought win this afternoon at the Sportsground.

A much-improved performance from Murray Houston’s side saw them run Connacht close, but the home side held out to secure an important win.

Connacht scored in the first half through Lily Brady and Orla Fenton but it was Ulster who would go in 14-17 ahead at the break with tries from Aishling O’Connell, Ella Durkan and Beth Cregan.

Grainne O’Loughlin touched down for the hosts in the second half, with Ava Ryder scoring twice to retain the lead for her side. Bronach Cassidy’s late score kept Ulster within touching distance but ultimately proved to not be enough.

Ulster got off to a bright start, taking control of the game and retaining the ball through a number of phases. They were rewarded for the effort when tighthead prop O’Connell powered her way over from close distance to give her side an early lead. Ella Durkan added the extras.

It wasn’t long before Connacht hit back with a try from hooker Brady, who steered a powerful lineout maul over the line before crashing over in the corner. Out-half Fowley slotted a difficult conversion to draw the sides level.

Connacht grew into the game and started to dominate in terms of both territory and a try looked inevitable. Sure enough, after a period of possession in the Ulster 22, the ball went wide and found Orla Fenton who jogged through a wide gap to touch down and put her side 14-7 ahead, with Fowley once again accurate from the kicking tee.

The back-and-forth nature of the game continued and Ulster continued to impress, showing attacking intent with some good direct running. Ulster made their next try look easy, stretching the host’s defence and throwing it wide to Durkan who sprinted in to touch down in the corner.

Just as the rhythm of the game was being disrupted with a number of penalties, Ulster captain Beth Cregan was rewarded for an impressive first half performance with a try, collecting the ball on the wing and steaming over to give her side a 14-17 lead as the teams went in for the break.

Connacht started the second half more strongly and it was winger Ava Ryder who finished a really well-taken try down the left wing. 

Within a matter of minutes Ryder popped up again with a quickfire double, coming as a result of an error from Ulster out-half Moyles who misjudged a bounce from a clever kick through and Ryder took full advantage to sprint home.

Replacement prop O’Loughlin scored on the 56^th minute in a difficult spell for the visitors and it looked like Connacht may have the ascendancy for the remainder of the game.

However, Ulster battled their way back into the game and patiently worked their way up the field. Replacement hooker Cassidy powered her way over the line following a number of phases in possession and put her side within touching distance.

Connacht held on, however, and Ulster could not find a way through in the last 10 minutes of the game.

Despite the loss, Ulster head-coach Murray Houston will be happy with his side’s significantly improved performance.