In Pics: Ulster Bounce Back For Third Place Finish

Niamh Marley leads an attack for Ulster
It all came together for Ulster on finals day as, following a couple of heavy losses, they outgunned Connacht 29-10 in Galway to post their first Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship win since 2023.

Maebh Clenaghan claimed two maul tries, and recent debutant Olivia McKinley, Niamh Marley, and replacement Siobhán Sheerin also crossed the whitewash for Murray Houston's team.

Winning the 3rd-4th place play-off in decisive fashion was a brilliant way for Ulster to finish their campaign, while hosts Connacht failed to build on teenager Aoife Heaney's superb opening try.

Check out some of the best photos from the finals day's curtain raiser at Dexcom Stadium, which were taken by Sportsfile's Shauna Clinton and Tyler Miller.

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Dexcom Stadium hosted the 2026 Women's Interprovincial finals day

Dexcom Stadium, the home of Connacht Rugby, hosted the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship finals day for the first time

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Connacht winger Aoife Heaney gets past Ulster's Abby Moyles

Teenage winger Aoife Heaney, on her first start for Connacht, gets past a tackle from Ulster's Abby Moyles

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Aoife Heaney scores her first senior try for Connacht

There were just 68 seconds on the clock when Claremorris Colts' Aoife Heaney finished off an excellent individual score

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Faith Oviawe celebrates with Aoife Heaney after she scored for Connacht

Faith Oviawe hugs Ireland Under-18 international Aoife Heaney after she gave Connacht an early 5-0 lead

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Moya Hill connects with her Ulster team-mate Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan

Moya Hill connects with Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan as Ulster build an attack against a Connacht side that defeated them 15-10 during the first round in Belfast

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Rebecca Beacom and Faith Oviawe contest a lineout

Ulster flanker Rebecca Beacom and Connacht's Faith Oviawe compete for lineout possession during the 3rd-4th place play-off

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Connacht co-captain Aoibheann Reilly takes on Ulster's Abby Moyles

Connacht co-captain Aoibheann Reilly put her foot down as she tried to get away from Ulster out-half Abby Moyles

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Méabh Deely grounds the ball for Connacht's second try

It was two tries apiece during the opening quarter of an hour, with Connacht out-half Méabh Deely grounding the ball for their second score

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Ulster's Rachael McIlroy in action against Connacht

Ulster scrum half Rachael McIlroy tries to bring a loose ball under control as the teams battle it out in Galway

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Clara Barrett tries to shrug off Niamh Marley's challenge

Connacht's Ireland-capped full-back Clara Barrett tries to shrug off Niamh Marley's challenge

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Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan is challenged by Faith Oviawe at a lineout

Ireland international Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan was part of a much-improved Ulster lineout, despite the best efforts of Connacht's Faith Oviawe

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Full-back Ella Durkan drives forward for Ulster

Full-back Ella Durkan drives forward for Ulster, with Jemima Adams Verling and Emily Foley covering the danger for Connacht

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Armagh native Niamh Marley in action for Ulster

Armagh native Niamh Marley made her fourth start of the competition, and weighed in with a try on the 30-minute mark

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Síofra Hession and Lily Morris get to grips with Ulster's Niamh Marley

Connacht's Síofra Hession and Lily Morris gets to grips with Ulster's try-scoring winger Niamh Marley

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Virginia youngster Caitlin Crowe during Ulster's play-off win over Connacht

Playing at outside centre, Virginia youngster Caitlin Crowe impressed during her first senior Championship in Ulster colours

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Replacement Siobhán Sheerin was one of Ulster's try scorers against Connacht

Having led 24-10 at half-time, Ulster wrapped up a richly-deserved result with replacement Siobhán Sheerin's late try

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Siobhán Sheerin celebrates with Abby Moyles, the creator of her try

Siobhán Sheerin celebrates with Abby Moyles, who set up Ulster's fifth and final try with a pinpoint cross-field kick

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Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan was the player-of-the-match against Connacht

Vodafone's Mark Power was on hand to present Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan with her player-of-the-match award

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Ulster forwards Moya Hill and Rebecca Beacom show their delight at winning

Forwards Moya Hill and Rebecca Beacom show their delight after Ulster upset the odds to finish the 2026 Championship on a real high

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Ulster's Siobhán Sheerin and Stacey Sloan after the final whistle in Galway

Siobhán Sheerin and Stacey Sloan celebrate Ulster's first victory since their 36-14 defeat of Connacht in the corresponding play-off fixture three years ago