Replacementpublished at 20:40 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster 3-9 Connacht
Milasinovich comes on to replace Toomaga-Allen for the second half.
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
Replacementpublished at 20:40 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster lacking accuracy- McWhirterpublished at 20:39 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster 3-9 Connacht
Tony McWhirter
1999 Ulster European Cup winner“Ulster haven't been accurate enough with the cleaning out process. The level of accuracy at the ruck has made life very messy for John Cooney.”
Kick-offpublished at 20:39 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster 3-9 Connacht
Connacht get the second half underway and have been boosted by the return of Hansen.
Can Ulster turn the game around in the second period?
Connacht dominating 'physical game' - McWhirterpublished at 20:29 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
HT: Ulster 3-9 Connacht
Tony McWhirter
1999 Ulster European Cup winner“Connacht are just so physical at the breakdown. Any time we see Ulster players go near it they are just getting blasted.
It’s such a physical game. Every stoppage you see bodies strewn everywhere. Connacht have come with the ambition to be ultra physical and Ulster are struggling with that.”
Half-timepublished at 20:28 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster 3-9 Connacht
Ulster have plenty of work to do in the second period after a sluggish first half showing in which they failed to trouble Connacht sees them trail by six points at the break.
In truth it could have been worse given Connacht's dominance, and they will hope to build on Carty's three penalties in the second- half.
Image source, Inpho'Harsh penalty' - McWhirterpublished at 20:28 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster 3-9 Connacht
Tony McWhirter
1999 Ulster European Cup winner“It’s a very harsh penalty against Ulster, but Connacht won’t care. They will just be happy to going in 9-3 up, and in my opinion they deserve this lead.”
A half to forget to Ulsterpublished at 20:26 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster 3-9 Connacht
Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Kingspan StadiumIt's a huge occasion and it may well be down to nerves, but, whatever the reason, that half of rugby must be up there with one of the most disappointing of Ulster's season.
Sloppy in possession. Sloppy at the breakdown. Just sloppy overall.
Connacht have been well on top after an opening 10 minutes in which pretty much nothing happened.
This is a massive half-time break for Ulster and head coach Dan McFarland. Can they turn this match around? Their season depends on it.
Penalty Connachtpublished at 20:25 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster 3-9 Connacht
Carty again converts the penalty just before half-time to further extend Connacht's lead.
Postpublished at 40 mins
Ulster 3-6 Connacht
Ulster's frustrations thus far are bubbling over as they concede another penalty after the referee had spoken to O'Sullivan about the conduct of some of his players.
McWhirter impressed with Connacht's game planpublished at 20:22 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster 3-6 Connacht
Tony McWhirter
1999 Ulster European Cup winner“Connacht are getting Ulster to ground really quickly and then, if Ulster don’t have players in support, it gives the likes of Buckley and Oliver a shot at a turnover.”
Postpublished at 37 mins
Ulster 3-6 Connacht
Ulster have failed to venture into Connacht's 22 often enough to cause much trouble for the visitors, as their attacks keep breaking down as they cannot execute that final pass.
Connacht 'hungry' - McWhirterpublished at 20:18 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster 3-6 Connacht
Tony McWhirter
1999 Ulster European Cup winner“Connacht are just so hungry for work. Ulster are looking isolated and Connacht are counter-rucking and winning that forwards battle at the minute.”
Penalty Connachtpublished at 34 mins
Ulster 3-6 Connacht
Carty converts the resulting penalty to put Connacht ahead and you would have to say on the balance of play it is no more than they deserve.
Image source, InphoPostpublished at 33 mins
Ulster 3-3 Connacht
Connacht win a penalty after great work from Prendergrast.
He wins a turnover and chases down Baloucoune, forcing an error and getting his side a penalty.
Ulster 'losing gain-line battle' - McWhirterpublished at 20:11 British Summer Time 5 May 2023
Ulster 3-3 Connacht
Tony McWhirter
1999 Ulster European Cup winner“Ulster are giving away too many penalties. They are losing the gain-line battle.
They can’t afford to keep letting Connacht get over the gain-line and get that momentum going.
They are putting Ulster under pressure and they are giving Jack Carty opportunities to kick for the posts.”
Replacementpublished at 27 mins
Ulster 3-3 Connacht
A blow for Connacht as Mack Hansen leaves the field after a head collision with Porch, to be replaced by Ralston.
Image source, InphoPostpublished at 26 mins
Ulster 3-3 Connacht
Conney pounces on a loose ball from Connacht and weaves his way forward, before kicking the ball ahead and chasing.
O'Halloran gets there first however, and a basic error from Cooney sees Ulster squander the chance to add a try.
Penalty Connachtpublished at 24 mins
Ulster 3-3 Connacht
Carty levels it up for Connacht, coolly slotting home.
Will the exchange of points help to spark this game into life?
Penalty Ulsterpublished at 21 mins
Ulster 3-0 Connacht
Cooney kicks between the posts to score the first points of the game for Ulster.
Image source, InphoReplacementpublished at 19 mins
Ulster 0-0 Connacht
Stewart Moore comes on for the injured Mike Lowry, who put his body on the line to stop Farrell from racing through.
An early blow for the home side, but a big tackle from Lowry at the right time.