Ulster's settled scores involving opposing sides (7)
I believe the answer is:
results
'opposing sides' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'ulster's settled scores' is the wordplay.
'settled' is an anagram indicator.
'scores' becomes 's' (this could be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'ulster' with letters rearranged gives 'result'.
'result'+'s'='RESULTS'
'involving' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for results that I've seen before include "Outcomes, effects" , "Outcomes, final scores" , "Exam marks" , "Outcomes, upshots" , "Outcomes, consequences" .)