McFarland hopes Connacht let-off can be pivotal moment for Ulster

Jack Carty had a conversion attempt to tie the match and complete a stirring comeback

Connacht's Jack Carty attempts a conversion

The relief was palpable with Ulster coach Dan McFarland as he prepared to depart a venue where he spent a decade and a half as a player after a remarkable Connacht comeback came up just short at the Sportsground.

McFarland was part and parcel of many great Connacht recoveries in his time in Galway and wasn’t in the least surprised by their comeback, but this win was all about ending an horrendous December for his men after chastening defeats to Leinster, Sale Sharks and La Rochelle.