A scoring spree which yielded 2-4 in the four minutes before halftime set Connacht up for an easy win at Casement Park. The visitors, who had the best player on show in Galway's Cathal Moore, led 3-10 to 0-9 at the break.

The opening 23 minutes had been entertaining, with Ulster matching the visitors, if finding it more difficult to score. A super goal by Moore in the 15th minute put Connacht 1-3 to 0-3 ahead. He intercepted a pass and tore through the defence to fire a curving shot to the net.

Long-range points by Noel Sands and Paul McKillen, separated by a Greg O'Kane pointed free, brought Ulster back to within a point of their opponents, but Galway's Alan Kearins and Roscommon's Alan Kelly soon got the goals which sent Connacht in at the interval 10 points to the good.

Midfielder Tom Kavanagh and Moore added points on the resumption before Allister Elliott gave Ulster fans some hope with a goal from an Oliver Collins pass. Two points, from McKillen and Greg O'Kane, followed but Ulster failed to score from the 41st to the 59th minutes as Connacht, playing with the wind, fired over five points, all from play.

CONNACHT (all Galway except where stated): K Devine; J Kennedy, B Feeney, V Maher; R Walsh, N Shaughnessy, P Hardiman; T Kavanagh 0-2, M Cunniffe (Roscommon); J Rabbitte 0-2, C Moore 1-6, D Greally (Mayo) 0-2; O Fahy 0-5, A Kelly (Roscommon) 1-1, A Kearins 1-0. Sub: P Seevers (Sligo) for Greally (46 mins).

ULSTER: S Elliott (Antrim); M Mallon (Down), S Murray (Down), F McMullan (Antrim); S McMullan (Antrim), Gary O'Kane (Antrim), G Savage (Down); O Collins (Derry), C McGuckian (Antrim); L Richmond (Antrim) 0-[RO ] 1, N Sands (Down) 0-1, P McKillen (Ant rim) 0-3; G McGonigle (Derry) 0-1, [N O](Derry), Greg O'Kane (Antrim) 0-4, A Elliott (Antrim) 1-1. Sub: S Kelly (Antrim) 0-1 for Richmond (46 mins).

Referee: J McDonnell (Tipperary).