Ulster Ravens lose 31 - 29 to Connacht Eagles in Galway

The Ravens had been leading by 29 points to 21 with five minutes remaining, but a strong finish from the hosts meant Nigel Carolan’s side took the victory.

Michael Allen opened the scoring for the Ravens with a well taken try on nine minutes, but his effort was soon cancelled out when Connacht centre, Conor Finn, crossed eight minutes later. A Jack Carty conversion made it Connacht Eagles 7 – Ulster 5.

It got worse for the Ravens on 28 minutes when Matt Healy scored Connacht Eagles’ second try of the afternoon, which Carty also converted to make it 14-5.

That’s how it remained until half-time, but the Ravens came back strongly at the start of the second period. Ricky Andrew, who was deployed at centre instead of his usual full-back position, crossed to narrow the gap to just four points.

Steve Toal-Lennon went over for Connacht, which Carty converted to make it Connacht Eagles 21 – Ulster Ravens 10, but then came Ulster’s best spell of the match.

Michael Allen got his second try of the afternoon with 20 minutes remaining. Niall O’Connor added the extras. Then Ali Birch went over to put Ulster ahead for the second time in the game.

Ross Adair scored Ulster’s fourth try on 75 minutes as it looked like the Ravens had wrapped up the win as they led by 29 points to 21.

But in injury time, substitute Fin Gormley crossed for Connacht and Carty added the conversion to make it a one-point game. Connacht Eagles 28 – Ulster Ravens 27.

Then came heartache for the Ravens as Carty added that penalty in the eighth minute of added time to seal the win for the home side.