Summary

  • Ulster 10-15 Connacht

  • O'Sullivan scores try with Cooney then converting, but five penalties hand Connacht the win

  • Connacht face trip to South Africa for semi-final against Stormers or Bulls

  1. That's a wrappublished at 21:39 British Summer Time 5 May 2023

    FT: Ulster 10-15 Connacht

    That is all from us at the Kingspan Stadium on another disappointing night for Ulster, who bow out of the URC at the quarter final stage after a sluggish performance against a well drilled Connacht.

    Andy Friend's side can now look forward to a trip to South Africa for the semi-final next weekend against either Stormers or Bulls.

    Dan McFarland has a rebuilding job on his hands at Ulster, with 10 players already confirmed to be leaving the club.

    You can read the match report from the game tonight here.

    Thanks for joining us, good night.

  2. Postpublished at 21:29 British Summer Time 5 May 2023

    FT: Ulster 10-15 Connacht

    Tony McWhirter
    1999 Ulster European Cup winner

    “The game ended as the game was won – Connacht winning a breakdown penalty.”

  3. Full-timepublished at 21:28 British Summer Time 5 May 2023

    FT: Ulster 10-15 Connacht

    Connacht spring an almighty surprise with a well executed game plan to claim a victory against Ulster and seal a URC semi-final date next weekend.

    Whilst they squandered numerous opportunities for a try, their five penalties and a strong defensive showing were enough to dump out Ulster, whose wait for silverware will go on for another year.

  4. Postpublished at 81 mins

    Ulster 10-15 Connacht

    Ulster throw the kitchen sink at Connacht as the clock go red, but the visitors win the breakdown and the Ulster players look crestfallen.

  5. Penalty Connachtpublished at 75 mins

    Ulster 10-15 Connacht

    Substitute Marmion races forward and wins a penalty which is converted by Carty once again.

    Connacht now five points ahead with five minutes to go, it is going to be a tense finale.

  6. McWhirter praises Ulster's resurgencepublished at 21:14 British Summer Time 5 May 2023

    Ulster 10-12

    Tony McWhirter
    1999 Ulster European Cup winner

    “Ulster finally look like they have a bit of energy and a bit of belief – they have a spring back in their step. Connacht now under a lot of pressure.”

  7. Postpublished at 68 mins

    Ulster 10-12 Connacht

    Ulster have been buoyed by that try and Baloucoune has been at the heart of their resurgence with his driving runs forward.

  8. Here comes the noisepublished at 21:11 British Summer Time 5 May 2023

    Ulster 10-12 Connacht

    Mark Sterling
    BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium

    The Kingspan Stadium has properly found its voice now.

    The home crowd absolutely loved that try and you can tell they sense victory.

    Still two points in it, though.

    Huge 10 minutes incoming.

  9. Ulster's aggression paying dividens - McWhirterpublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 5 May 2023

    Ulster 10-12 Connacht

    Tony McWhirter
    1999 Ulster European Cup winner

    “Ulster are starting to go back to what has worked for them all season. They have been aggressive at the maul."

  10. converted try

    Converted try- Ulster 10-12 Connachtpublished at 65 mins

    Alan O'Sullivan (con Cooney)

    Ulster finally make the maul count!

    From the maul Stewart bursts forward, before O'Sullivan takes over to touch down, much to the delight of the Ulster fans.

    Cooney converts to make it a two point game.

  11. Postpublished at 64 mins

    Ulster 3-12 Connacht

    Ulster are starting to build momentum and are using the maul to their advantage, can they get over the try line?

  12. Replacementpublished at 62 mins

    Ulster 3-12 Connacht

    During a stoppage in play for an injury to Hume, the impressive Prendergrast goes off for Connacht.

  13. Postpublished at 60 mins

    Ulster 3-12 Connacht

    Baloucoune bursts forward as Ulster look to get close to the try line, but a decisive tackle from Hansen halts their progress.

    That has finally given the fans in the Kingspan Stadium something to shout about as it is as close as Ulster have come.

  14. Replacementspublished at 58 mins

    Ulster 3-12 Connacht

    A number of changes for Ulster as Murphy comes on for Timoney and Stewart replaces Herring with Treadwell going off for Carter

    There are changes too for Connach as Heffernan, Bealham and Murray go off for Tierney-Martina, Aungier and Dowling.

  15. Postpublished at 56 mins

    Ulster 3-12 Connacht

    Connacht have just started to tire in the last few minutes after wasting some golden chances, can Ulster capitalise?

  16. Ulster 'outplayed' - McWhirterpublished at 20:52 British Summer Time 5 May 2023

    Ulster 3-12 Connacht

    Tony McWhirter
    1999 Ulster European Cup winner

    “Ulster are getting outplayed in every facet of the game. If Connacht lose this one they will feel hugely disappointed as they have butchered a couple of really good chances.”

  17. Postpublished at 51 mins

    Ulster 3-12 Connacht

    Another Connacht mistake prevents them from scoring a try as Aki fails to execute the final pass as Ulster's defence stand firm.

    They are inching closer which will worry Dan McFarland.

  18. No try Connachtpublished at 48 mins

    Ulster 3-12 Connacht

    After a review, Prendergast's try is chalked off, much to Ulster's relief, as there was a knock on in the build up.

  19. McWhirter demands more from Ulsterpublished at 20:43 British Summer Time 5 May 2023

    Ulster 3-12 Connacht

    Tony McWhirter
    1999 Ulster European Cup winner

    “Ulster need to more proactive, physical and aggressive at the breakdown. The physicality stakes have all been on Connacht’s side. The only rugby Ulster has really played in has been off turnover ball.”

  20. Penalty Connachtpublished at 45 mins

    Ulster 3-12 Connacht

    The start to the second period that Ulster wanted to avoid, as a fourth penalty from Carty adds to Connacht's lead.

    He converts with help from the post.

    Connacht's Jack CartyImage source, Inpho