3-19 to 1-15 was the final score at Ballinasloe as Connacht's hurlers beat Ulster.

The winners led by 1-8 to 0-8 at the interval, with Iarlaith Tannion netting the goal. Fresh from his duties with Garrycastle yesterday, Anthony Cunningham - the busiest man in the GAA - was in charge of Connacht today.

Ulster bossed the early exchanges and Neil McManus (2) was prominent as the northerners hit the first five points of the day. Karl Stewart also got on the scoreboard before a brace of Niall Burke frees opened Connacht's account.

Connacht battled back well, with Donie Fox placing Tannion for the opening goal. Eanna Ryan and Burke also pointed and there was a goal between them, 1-7 to 0-7 in the hosts' favour approaching half time.

Antrim's Neil McManus was sent off with second yellow card not long after striking Ulster's last score of the opening period.

Stewart and Michael Armstrong points closed the gap to just a point but Burke was on hand to make it 1-9 to 0-10.

Armagh's Cathal Carville levelled proceedings in the 45th minute but Tannion and Burke (with his seventh point) steadied Connacht and a goal from Mullagh's Davy Glennon - an All-Ireland U21 winner with Galway last year - settled the match as a contest.

Stewart and Burke traded points before Johnny Coen and Tannion (2) made it 2-15 to 0-15 with three minutes left.

Ulster full back Cormac Donnelly hit a goal from a penalty but Eanna Ryan found the net at the other end within 30 seconds and Niall Healy, Ryan and Tannion were on target as the victors finished with a flurry.

Connacht - J Ryan; P Shiel, N Donoghue, Ger O'Halloran; T Óg Regan, F Moore, B Flaherty; J Grealish, D Fox; B Burke, N Burke (0-8), E Ryan (1-3); D Hayes, J Coen (0-2), I Tannian (1-4). Subs: B Daly for Fox, D Glennon (1-0) for Grealish, N Healy (0-2) for N Burke, P Gordon for Flaherty, K Raymond for Coen.

Ulster - G Clarke; A Graffin, C Donnelly (1-0, penalty), S Ennis; N McAuley (0-1), L Hinphey, S McCrory; C Woods, N McManus (0-5); M Herron, K McGarry, M Armstrong (0-2); P McCloskey, K Stewart (0-6), C Carville (0-1). Subs: J Coyle for McGarry, R Gaffney for McCloskey, M Ennis for S Ennis.

Ref - T Carroll (Offaly). Tweet

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