The Front Row Union Sport - Interprovincial: Ulster U18 hold on for win against Connacht

Interprovincial: Ulster U18 hold on for win against Connacht

Sep 1, 2019

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Ulster U18 recorded their second win in the Interprovincials with a 19 – 12 win against Connacht U18 at Queens Sport Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Ulster U18 (19) 19

TRY: Ava Fannin, Toni Macartney, Zara Flack

CON: Moya Hill (2)

Connacht U18 (5) 12

TRY: Mary McLoughlin, Zara Grehan

CON: Fodhla Ni Bhraonain

Ulster U18 were quick out of the blocks racking up seventeen points in as many minutes.

Captain Ava Fannin heads for the line for Ulster’s opening score.

Captain Ava Fannin (Virginia) led the way with the opening score before Toni Macartney crossed for the second. Within minutes Zara Flack went over for Ulster’s third and, with Moya Hill adding two conversions, Ulster were 19 – 0 up.

Toni Macartney dots down for Ulster’s second try.

Connacht worked their way back into the game and a try from Mary McLaughlin pulled the score back to 19 – 5 at the break.

Connacht on the charge in the second half.

The second half was a bit disjointed with both sides making a host of changes and Connacht were the only team to trouble the scoreboard in the second period with Zara Grehan crossing for Fodhla Ni Bhraonain to convert, the thoughts of both sides turning to their knockout rematch in a fortnight’s time.

ULSTER U18: Farrah McCloskey (Enniskillen), Sophie Kinghan (Dundalk), Zara Flack (Enniskillen), Moya Hill (Enniskillen), Emma Ryan (Virginia), Toni Macartney (Larne), Sarah Shrestha (Dungannon), Ella Garland (Cooke), Aoife Cahill (Malone), Ava Fannin (Virginia) (capt), Kim Johnston (Dungannon), Taryn Schutzler (Malone), Rachel McGee (Ballyshannon), Erin Carson (Malone), Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen). Replacements: Cara O’Neill (Malone), Hannah Cooney (Malone), Delyth Cook (Ballyclare), Samantha Cassidy Campbell (Ballyclare), Jennifer Collins (Donaghadee), Lauren Kilfedder (Enniskillen), Lucy Thompson (Enniskillen), Jana McQuillan (Larne).

CONNACHT U18: Hannah Gullane (Ballinasloe) (C), Avril Deely (Ballinasloe), Fodhla Ni Bhraonain (Corinthians), Maeve Muldoon (Ballinasloe), Alana Roche (Oughterard), Caoimhe Geraghty (Corinthians), Aisling Browne (Westport), Mary McLoughlin (Westport), Molly Ager (Claremorris Colts), Aimee Kelly (Buccaneers), Mollie Starr (Portumna), Faith Oviawe (Buccaneers), Katelyn Bourke (Ballina), Hannah Johnston (Sligo), Leah Hogarty (Ballinasloe). Replacements: Emily Gavin (Ballinasloe), Zara Grehan (Ballinasloe), Aisling Hahessy (Claremorris Colts), Hannah Coen (Creggs), Rachel Larkin (Ballinasloe), Olivia Haverty (Portumna), Meghan Walsh (Connemara), Katie Hogan (Westport).

Helen McGhee caught up with the Ulster scorers after the game.