Madigan And Murphy Guide Ulster To Important Win In Galway

Goal-kicking ace Ian Madigan helped himself to 22 points in Ulster’s 32-19 Guinness PRO14 derby win over Connacht at the Sportsground.

Despite having 17 players unavailable for selection, Dan McFarland’s men prevailed to make it nine straight Championship victories and extend their lead at the top of Conference A.

Connacht notched tries through Jack Carty and John Porch during Kyle McCall’s sin-bin period, while three Madigan penalties had Ulster only 14-9 behind at the break.

The visitors then seized control with tries from player-of-the-match Jordi Murphy and Nick Timoney, and despite Tom Daly touching down in response, Madigan steered Ulster home with penalties after 65, 74 and 78 minutes.

With the northern province winning in Galway for the first time in five years, it was an important result for McFarland’s charges on the back of their disappointing form in Europe.

Connacht were also hoping to right the wrongs of back-to-back Heineken Champions Cup losses, with versatile forward Eoghan Masterson becoming their latest player to reach 100 provincial caps.

The surefooted Madigan punished Daly for hands in the ruck after two minutes, and he rewarded Murphy’s breakdown work with a booming 10th-minute place-kick.

Trailing 6-0, Connacht were made to work hard for their opening points. Finlay Bealham was held up short before three successive scrum penalties led to Ulster loosehead McCall being binned.

Fed out wide in the 20th minute, Carty reached over in the right corner despite Timoney’s covering tackle. The Athlone man added a fine conversion for good measure.

Connacht’s lead was brief, though, as Ultan Dillane took out Kieran Treadwell at a lineout and Madigan stepped up to make it 9-7.

Another penalty provided the platform for the westerners’ second try in the 27th minute. Good hands from Tiernan O’Halloran and Daly put Porch over, with Carty converting again from far out.

However, a five-point advantage was a poor return for Connacht’s 80% share of first-half possession, and Ulster – with a strong wind behind them from the restart – were quick to make them pay.

With their forwards providing some penetration, Alby Mathewson wriggled out of a tackle from Carty and it was openside Murphy who burrowed over from the resulting ruck.

Madigan converted and also added the extras to number 8 Timoney’s score, five minutes later. A clever move saw Greg Jones unleash Timoney and he bounced off Porch’s attempted tackle to scramble his way over.

Crucially, Connacht began the final quarter with their third try, a strong burst from centre Daly allowing him to break James Hume’s tackle before crossing the whitewash. Carty was unable to convert.

But 23-19 is as close as Connacht got, with Ulster winning the key breakdown decisions late on. Madigan finished with eight successful kicks from nine attempts, his final two efforts rewarding replacement Matthew Rea’s efforts over the ball.

Giving his reaction afterwards, Ulster head coach McFarland said: “Playing away from home after Christmas is tough. We knew it was going to be physical. The win was excellent but I was more pleased with the manner of the win.

“We were struggling with injuries and unavailability of what might be considered to be our frontliners, but when that happens you’re looking for your guys stepping up to play their best games and I felt they did that.

“That’s testament to them and also the work the coaches have put in during the week. I’m really proud of the team. Alby did a brilliant job of controlling the game in the second half.”

Connacht boss Andy Friend commented: “I thought at half-time the scoreboard probably was not a reflection of the first half, unlucky not to get a penalty try, but we were quite comfortable at half-time, and I thought we would bring it home, but we didn’t do it.

“Conditions did turn which made it hard to kick and that was the frustrating part of the night. We needed to pinch another try, which would have been a bonus point, but again we lost that, so no Christmas present there.

“They were the better team. We were on top and we allowed them easy access. There was some frustration there, penalties given and you give themselves three points. They were clever.”