Faith Oviawe brace helps Connacht sink 14-woman Ulster

CONNACHT 33-19 ULSTER

A brace of tries from Faith Oviawe helped Connacht to a 33-19 victory over Ulster in the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship third-place play-off.

The hosts played most of the game with 14 players, and a 10-minute spell with 13, when Ireland international Brittany Hogan was sent off in the first half.

Murray Houston’s side, who had played out a 25-25 draw against Connacht in their round-two meeting, battled hard but it was the visitors who finished stronger, running in two late tries to claim their first victory of the campaign.

Tries from Edel McMahon and Oviawe had Connacht 14-7 up at the break, with Sophie Barrett crossing for Ulster.

Hannah Clarke, Oviawe and Beibhinn Gleeson scored the second-half tries with Abby Moyle’s brace proving some consolation for Ulster.

India Daley's early strong running put Ulster on the front foot and moments after Moyles had hit the post with a close-range penalty, they had their first try.

After good hands in the 22, new Ireland call-up Barrett powered over the line with a couple of Connacht defenders in tow. This time Moyles nailed the kick.

Connacht were showing in patches and Oviawe almost broke through but the second row, who will join the Ireland squad as a training panellist, was hauled down by the last defender.

But they were growing into the game and a brilliant pre-planned move saw Nicole Fowley find Meabh Deely with a perfect pass for a run-in from the 22 but the Ireland full-back inexplicably failed to ground the ball correctly under no pressure.

Then came the game’s talking point as the influential Hogan was sent off for what was deemed a dangerous tackle when she lifted Grace Browne Moran above the horizontal.

The Connacht woman landed on her head