Munster see off Connacht in Women's Interpros

Linley Mackenzie

Connacht 12

Munster 47 

Munster out-muscled Connacht to record a third interprovincial win, continuing their drive for a second successive trophy.

Having already qualified for this season’s Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship finals, Matt Brown’s women delivered as expected in Dexcom Stadium to maintain their lead at the top of the table, while also increasing their run of victories over Connacht to six. 

Connacht, in their first home game this season - and also their first at Dexcom since it opened -  never came close. Missing key Ireland players, Connacht needed a bonus-point win to give them a fighting chance. And although they fought hard, Munster always had this season’s interprovincial trophy in this sights.

Despite a lively start from the hosts, Munster held a healthy 5-21 lead, at the break, courtesy of three tries. It had looked promising for Connacht when they opened with a third-minute try, having capitalised on a penalty when Munster were ruled offside. And from the resulting line-out and drive, debutant hooker Uillian Eilian crossed to open the scoring, the conversion wide.

However Munster were quick to respond. Two minutes later they were gifted an intercept, and right wing Aoife Carey could not be stopped, and outhalf Catriona Flynn’s conversion edged them 7-5 ahead.

Connacht, despite dominating territory, were unable to capitalise on two successive penalties to touch, while the visitors struck for a second try after 24 minutes. From a line-out, a series of drives eventually was rewarded with a second try through excellent prop Aisha Flynn, with the outhalf converting.

Lacking clinical execution, Connacht continued to spurn opportunities allowing Munster to take control with a superior pack putting their hosts on the back foot. By the 32nd minute outhalf Catriona Flynn added a third.  And there was little respite for Craig Hansbury’s women, who were not helped by a line-out overthrow after a penalty to touch, and a knock-on just yards from the line as the half-time whistle sounded. 

However, Matt Brown’s side was back on the scoresheet after the restart with both Alannah McInerney and prop Aisha Glynn adding tries within eight minutes. Munster confirmed their title credentials with two more tries, and although Connacht showed some spark with a brilliant individual try through Jemima Adams-Verling, Munster added an excellent individual try from Abbey Salter-Townsend to post three successive interprovincial victories. 

Connacht: Clara Barrett; Clare Gorman, Anna McGann, Lyndsay Clarke, Emily Foley; Méabh Deely, Aoibheann Reilly (co-capt); Ella Burns, Uillian Eilian, Lily Morris; Faith Oviawe, Poppy Garvey; Emma Kelly, Ailish Quinn (co-capt), Jemima Adams Verling. Replacements: Jess Keating, Éabha O'Mahoney, Hannah Coen, Emma Fabby, Sarah Purcell, Aoife Heaney, Hannah Johnston, Síofra Hession.

Munster: Aoife Corey (capt); Alana McInerney, Lucia Linn, Enya Breen, Chisom Ugwueru; Caitríona Finn, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Alisha Flynn; Aoibhe O'Flynn, Jane Clohessy; Clodagh O’Halloran, Sally Kelly, Grace Moore. Replacements: Emma Dunican, Caoimhe Murphy, Ella Buckley, Niamh O’Mahony, Ava O’Malle, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Kate Flannery, Katie Corrigan

Referee: Alana Kerr (IRFU).

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