Cooney boots Ulster to thrilling win in Irish derby

MATCH REPORT: John Cooney’s kicking was the difference as Ulster edged out Connacht 20-19 in the United Rugby Championship.

Two penalties and two conversions helped Ulster claim the four points, Andy Warwick and Nick Timoney with tries in a first half which ended with the home team leading 14-7.

Connacht claimed a losing bonus point following tries from Bundee Aki, Shamus Hurley-Langton and Shayne Bolton but have now lost five games on the bounce.

Two minutes in and Ulster were out of the blocks with an excellent multi-phase attack which resulted in Warwick diving over from close range and Cooney converting.

But Connacht tied things up on nine minutes when Bundee Aki smashed over from close range, Jack Carty then converting. Connacht thought they had another try shortly afterwards but Bolton just could not get to the ball before it went dead from Mack Hansen’s chip.

Then on 19 minutes Ulster scored again, this time from a tap-and-go penalty following a period of intense pressure in Connacht’s 22 with Timoney driven over the line from close range. Cooney added a superb conversion from the touchline.

Neither side then managed any score in what remained of the opening half, allowing Ulster to maintain their 14-7 lead at half-time.

Ten minutes into the new half, Ulster increased their lead when Cooney slotted a penalty putting the home side 10 points ahead at 17-7.

Just before the hour, a long pass to the edge found Hurley-Langton who, with a lot to do, smashed past Robert Baloucoune and Will Addison and though Hume’s despairing tackle was referred upstairs, the Connacht flanker was adjudged to have stayed in play. Carty was wide with his kick from the difficult angle.

Ulster responded with a 64th-minute penalty from Cooney which put the hosts 20-12 to the good.

With just over 10 minutes to go Bolton made a break and slid over the Ulster line, Carty’s conversion cutting the home team’s lead to just one point.

That was how the derby concluded as Timoney kicked the ball out following a scrum with time up.

Player of the Match

Ulster skipper Iain Henderson took the player of the match award after another barn-storming performance which helped lever Ulster over the line for a vital victory. His work rate on both sides of the ball was again crucial, the leadership shown when the game became tight a vital boon for the home team.

Play of the Match

Ulster’s first try was a wonderful multi-phase attack using forwards and backs to produce an early strike move. It started out on the right wing with Baloucoune, Addison and Timoney involved before sweeping left. From there several close-in drives were launched before Cooney supplied Warwick with the scoring pass.

The scorers

For Ulster
Tries: Warwick, Timoney
Cons: Cooney 2
Pens: Cooney 2

For Connacht
Tries: Aki, Hurley-Langton, Bolton
Cons: Carty, Hanrahan

Teams

Ulster: 15 Mike Lowry, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jake Flannery, 9 John Cooney, 8 Nick Timoney, 7 Sean Reffell, 6 Matty Rea, 5 Iain Henderson (Captain), 4 Kieran Treadwell, 3 Marty Moore, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Andy Warwick
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Al O’Connor, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Jude Postlethwaite, 23 Will Addison

Connacht: 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Shayne Bolton, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Byron Ralston, 10 Jack Carty (Captain), 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Sean O’Brien, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Darragh Murray, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tadgh McElroy, 1 Denis Buckle
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Gavin Thornbury, 20 Conor Oliver, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Shane Jennings

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (Ireland), Joy Neville (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

Source: @URCOfficial