Connacht U18 Rugby side record inter-pro win over Ulster
THE CONNACHT U18 RUGBY SIDE snatched a dramatic 32-29 victory over Ulster in their final PwC Interprovincial Championship outing at Affidea Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Ríon Gill crossed for a late winning try as Connacht produced a stirring comeback to deny Ulster after the home side had looked set to claim victory in the closing stages. The men in green trailed 29-20 with just 10 minutes remaining, but Connacht refused to surrender and two late tries ultimately secured a memorable three-point win.
Ulster opened the scoring after just five minutes when captain Corbin Marsden touched down from a powerful lineout maul, with Joel Clarke converting. Connacht dominated possession and territory for long periods but struggled to build momentum after heavy rain before kick-off had made handling conditions difficult.
They eventually found their breakthrough in the 17th minute. Eoin Gannon’s clever offload was gathered by Rory Burns, with the prop racing clear to score in the corner.
Murray missed the conversion but Connacht moved in front three minutes later when the fly-half spotted a gap in the Ulster defence and slid through for his side’s second try.
Ulster regained the lead on 25 minutes when Marsden went over for his second try from another maul, with Clarke’s conversion making it 12-10.
Connacht responded strongly before half-time. Tom Smyth collected his own chip before finding Gannon, who powered down the blindside to cross for Connacht’s third try. Murray was unable to add the conversion, but Connacht went into the break with a 15-12 advantage.
Ulster came out strongly after the restart and almost levelled when Ewan Morrison was held up under the posts by some desperate Connacht defending.The home side did not have to wait long, however, as Joe Bailie forced his way over from close range. Clarke converted before adding a penalty in the 44th minute to put Ulster 22-15 ahead.
Connacht responded once again, with replacement scrum-half Eoin Healy going over from close range to bring his side back within two points.Ulster then appeared to take control when Niall Kelly intercepted a pass from Murray around halfway and raced clear to score under the posts. Clarke converted to give Ulster a 29-20 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
But Connacht produced a superb late rally.On penalty advantage, Murray's crossfield kick found Gannon, who touched down for his second try of the afternoon. The conversion was missed, but Connacht had reduced the deficit to four points.
The visitors continued to press and their persistence was rewarded in the closing minutes when replacement Ríon Gill powered over for the winning try. Josh Keane added the conversion to put Connacht three points clear before the final whistle confirmed a dramatic 32-29 victory.
Connacht:Tries: Burns, Murray, Gannon (2), Healy, Gill. Cons: Keane
Connacht: 15. Cian Silke, 14. Mirran Saman, 13. Eoin Gannon, 12. David Walsh, 11. Tom Smyth, 10. Darragh Murray, 9. Liam Gillard, 1. Rory Burns, 2. Jude Kennedy, 3. Aengus Langan (C), 4. Joe McSharry, 5. Sean O’Hara, 6. Aron Martin, 7. Oisin O’Connor, 8. Krystian Kopczynski.
Replacements: 16 Rion Gill, 17. Peter Daniel Sunny, 18. Julien Flynn, 19. Theo Gately, 20. Eoin Healy, 21. Liam Cadden, 22. Darragh Kelly, 23. Josh Keane.