2 days ago
Connacht power past Ulster in the second period
Irish Women's Interprovincial Championship, Dexcom StadiumConnacht 12 (0)Tries: Oviawe, Maher. Con: Nic DhonnachaUlster 7 (7)Try: Sheerin. Con: SheerinYellow card: Barr (36)A dominant second half performance saw Connacht secure victory in the Women's Interprovincial Championship against Ulster in win came at a cost, with Emer O'Dowd's side losing half-back pair Kayla Waldron and Grainne Moran to second half injuries but they absorbed those blows to began brightly but were unable to gain any traction in the second period as their half-time advantage was overturned by a pair of Connacht tries in the space of six minutes as their wait for a win continues following last week's defeat to made a great start in Galway as early pressure eventually led to Siobhan Sheerin bursting through to score before adding the conversion with eight minutes they couldn't build upon this as Connacht stood up to some follow-up turned up the heat late in the half with Ulster losing vice-captain Brenda Barr to the sin bin but they couldn't capitalise as Ulster retained their 7-0 advantage at the hosts had numerical advantage for the first six minutes of the second half and they laid siege to the Ulster line, but the visitors held initially firm as Barr was held up for over 15 minutes as Connacht's Waldron was stretchered off with what appeared to be a leg injury, but the fly-half gave a thumbs up on her way off the pitch as her team maintained the pressure when the game Connacht camped on the Ulster line, they finally breached the defence with replacement Faith Oviawe crossing and Éabha Nic Dhonnacha converted to level the game in the 55th was with the hosts as a downfield kick had them back inside the 22 and after further pressure, Roisin Maher drove over for the lead hosts were dealt a further injury blow with scrum-half Moran also stretchered off, but they again absorbed this hit to see out the game and bounce back from last week's defeat to Clara Barrett, Emily Foley, Orla Dixon, Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (capt), Hannah Clarke, Kayla Waldron, Grainne Moran; Hannah Coen, Lily Brady, Roisin Maher, Poppy Garvey, Grace Browne Moran, Beibhinn Gleeson, Ailish Quinn, Jemima Adams Stacy Hanley, Ellen Connolly, Hope Lowney, Faith Oviawe, Caoilfhionn Morrissey, Lesley Ring, Ava Ryder, Fódhla Ní Bhraoná Kate Farrell-McCabe, Lucy Thompson, Siohbán Sheerin, Tara O'Neill, Niamh Marley, Lauren Farrell McCabe, Georgia Boyce; Sarah Roberts, Maebh Clenaghan, Ava Fannin, Lauren Darley, Brenda Barr, Moya Hill, Ruby Starrett, India Daley (capt).Replacements: Cara McLean, Megan Simpson, Sophie Barrett, Rebecca Beacom, Katie Hetherington, Sophie Meeke, Kelly McCormill, Stacey Sloan.
