Glasgow Warriors 32
Ulster 10
ULSTER WILL TRAVEL to Scotstoun to face Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness Pro12 semi-final next Friday after the province’s hopes of securing a home tie were extinguished with a 32-10 defeat in Scotland this afternoon.
Neil Doak’s side began the day a point behind Glasgow in fourth place and led 10-6 at the break but the hosts rallied after the interval to score 26 points in the final half an hour to secure top spot.
The two teams will meet again next Friday with the other semi-final between Munster and Ospreys at Thomond Park.
Two tries from Finn Russell, a fine solo effort from Stuart Hogg and one from Richie Vernon clinched the win and the bonus point which was enough for Glasgow to leapfrog Ospreys.
The visitors made 12 changes to the side which drew with Munster last week and you’d expect Ulster to have many of their heavy hitters back for the knock-out clash in six days time.
That said, Doak’s charges started brightly and responded to Russell’s early penalty with a try from Chris Henry to head into the break with their noses in front.
But Gregor Townsend made five substitutions in the 52nd minute and the complexion of the game changed as Ulster were unable to contain the rampant hosts as they ran in four tries.
GLASGOW: S Hogg; T Seymour, R Vernon, P Horne, S Lamont; F Russell, N Matawalu; R Grant, D Hall, R de Klerk; J Gray, Al Kellock (c); J Strauss, C Fusaro, A Ashe
ULSTER: L Ludik; R Scholes, S Arnold, S McCloskey, M Allen, I Humphreys, P Marshall; A Warwick, R Herring, R Lutton, L Stevenson, F van der Merwe, C Ross, C Henry (c), R Diack
All the pressure on Offaly today and they were well deserved winners. Hopefully they will progress to senior level and they’ll compete in the All-Ireland series in 4/5 years time. Congratulations from a KK supporter
@Niall Egan: Fancied Offally to win this. Especially after the heartache of losing a minor and under 20. Some very good hurlers coming through.
@Ray Ridge: Brilliant
What a team…the most likeable team in the gaa at the moment.. thank you Leo..
There won’t be a bunker raked in esker hills tomorrow
Some group of hurlers just shows what can be done when everyone is on the same page, Workrate, teamwork, determination, skill and bottle in abundance they have it all.
Go on The Faithful county
Congrats to Offaly. They completely out hurled Tipp and could have won by much more.
Screeney is a class act and we all know that already. Dan Bourke was my man of the match. Imperious at centre forward. His goal put the game to bed just when Tipp had responded well to the first Offaly goal and looked like the game would go to the wire.
The joke among Tipp fans leaving the ground was at least the traffic won’t be bad leaving with all the Offaly fans celebrating back on the pitch.
It was the best atmosphere at a game in years thanks to the great Offaly support.
Enjoy the celebrations in Birr, Banagher, Tullamore and the rest of Offaly. Third time is a charm as someone else posted and this team are great champions.
Super atmosphere in KK,the place was mega.great game of hurling and Offaly never looked like they were going to come 2nd this evening.commiserations to a very good Tipperary team who had us on the edge of our seats at times alright but congratulations to the Faithful ! Up Offaly
Delighted for Offaly and Leo as well. Great stuff!
A Limerick man over a swashbuckling Offaly side winning an AI, Leo should get the senior job in a few years time with the majority of that side breaking through.
@colmkearney39@hotmail.com: the legend Eamon Cregan was also an adopted Limerick man and wiped the floor with his own county to bring glory to the Offaly senior team.
Better team won, no complaints, hopefully a few players from both set ups make the step up to senior level over the next few years.
What a brilliant atmosphere at the game, despite being on the losing side, just home watching the Saturday game, could have done with more coverage, interviews etc.