Ulster lose to Connacht in third-fourth play-off

Hannah Clarke crosses for her first try of the game

Irish Women's Interprovincial Championship Third-Fourth Place Play-Off, Energia Park

Connacht (10) 37

Tries: Clarke (2), Nic Dhonnacha, Ryder, Browne Moran, Adams Verling Con: Nic Dhonnacha (2) Pen: Nic Dhonnacha

Ulster (22) 30

Tries: O'Neill, Moyles, Barrett, Daley Cons: Moyles (2) Pen: Moyles (2)

Connacht twice came from behind to seal third place in the Women's Interprovincial Championship with a 37-30 win against Ulster in the play-off at Energia Park.

Hannah Clarke scored the first and last of Connacht's six tries in a game when the lead changed four times.

Ulster looked well on their way when leading by 17 late in the first half, but momentum would swing as Connacht overturned the deficit and although Ulster again got in front late in the game, it would be westerners who would find another reply to win.

Connacht drew first blood as a good move resulted in Clara Barrett putting Hannah Clarke away on the left wing to race through for the try.

Ulster made a strong response as they got into the Connacht 22 and after a number of phases, Tara O'Neill took a pass from Abby Moyles to power over the line to level it up midway through the opening half.

Moyles would kick Ulster ahead from a penalty in front of the posts and then weaved over for a try which she converted.

Ulster built on their momentum with Sophie Barrett driving over for their third try with Moyles adding the extra, but Connacht hit back just before the break with Éabha Nic Dhonnacha taking a pass from Faith Oviawe to touch down to reduce the arrears to 22-10 at the half.

The gap was narrowed further within a minute of the restart as Ava Ryder scampered clear along the right sideline to score.

That left a converted try between the teams and midway through the second half, Grace Browne Moran bundled over for a try and having missed her previous three conversions, this time Nic Dhonnacha split the uprights to tie the game.

The turnaround was complete in the 65th minute as Jemima Adams Verling burst through for a score and Nic Dhonnacha again added the extras.

The onus was now on Ulster to find a response and with Connacht's Oviawe sent to the sin bin, they kicked to the corner and from the line-out, India Daley rumbled over.

Moyles did miss the conversion attempt to level, but made up for it minutes later with a penalty to edge Ulster back in front.

There would be another twist as Hannah Clarke showed power and pace to break out from her own half and race clear as although Niamh Marley's last-ditch challenge tripped the winger, she had time to recover and finish.

Ulster's Maebh Clenaghan was sent to the bin late on with Nic Dhonnacha kicking the penalty and this proved the insurance for Connacht who rounded off their campaign with a win to finish in third.

Connacht: Clara Barrett, Ava Ryder, Orla Dixon, Fódhla Ní Bhraonáin, Hannah Clarke, Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (capt), Grainne Moran; Hannah Coen, Stacy Hanley, Roisin Maher, Poppy Garvey, Grace Browne Moran, Faith Oviawe, Lesley Ring, Jemima Adams Verling.

Replacements: Lily Brady, Ellen Connolly, Hope Lowney, Beibhinn Gleeson, Caoilfhionn Conway Morrissey, Karly Tierney, Sinead O'Brien, Aisling Whyte.

Ulster: Lauren Farrell-McCabe, Ciara Fitzsimons, Siobhán Sheerin, Tara O'Neill, Niamh Marley, Abby Moyles, Georgia Boyce; Cara McLean, India Daley (capt), Sophie Barrett, Lauren Darley, Brenda Barr, Moya Hill, Ruby Starrett, Stacey Sloan

Replacements: Maebh Clenaghan, Aishling O'Connell, Sarah Roberts, Emily Whittle, Rebecca Beacom, Sophie Meeke, Kate Farrell-McCabe, Lucy Thompson.