Munster Women Defeat Ulster

Munster consolidated their position at the top of the IWRFU Interprovincial Championship with an overwhelming 24-0 victory over Ulster at Dromore last Saturday.

Munster consolidated their position at the top of the IWRFU Interprovincial Championship with an overwhelming 24-0 victory over Ulster at Dromore last Saturday.

This win , the first ever achieved in Ulsters territory now leaves Munster in perfect position to retain the title. With 19 points from a possible twenty, the women in red need only one more point from their final two matches , both at home to Connacht and Leinster to achieve back to back Interpro titles.

It was a very satisfying performance for Fiona Steed’s team, who have held an intense rivalry with Ulster over the last 3 years , travelling north and winning being the primary objective, but to score 4 tries, earn a a bonus point and keep a clean sheet far exceeded their own expectations. Much of the first half was a tight affair and Ulster could have taken a lead midway during the period when sustained pressure on the Munster line could have yielded a try. But Munster defence was resolute and on 29 minutes Steed made the breakthrough herself with a trademark 40 metre solo effort to score wide out.

Munster went into the break 10-0 up after a classic score from a well worked shortened lineout on 30 metres. The ball was quickly spun wide to centre Jennifer O’Leary who held up a perfectly weighted ball to her partner Patrique Kelly on the loop, Kelly then putting flying winger Lynn Cantwell into space to sprint 20 metres to score.

Munster raised the tempo of the game in the second period and gradually began to dominate most facets of play. Field position and pressure eventually saw Ulster defences breached again with first Amanda Greensmith and Steed again claiming tries with Vivian Boland converting both for 24-0

Munster are next at home to Connacht on October 12 at Highfield. knowing that a win will secure the Championship, but are sure to maintain their own high standards to secure the next objective of an undefeated season

Munster 24 Steed 2, Cantwell, Greensmith tries, Boland 2 goals, defeated Ulster 0

Quirke for Dunn (40), Lonergan for R.Brown(61), Belton for C.O Leary(66), Keenan for Neville(71), O Reilly for Collins(71)

Munster Womens Team:

Amanda Greensmith, Clare O’Leary, Jennifer O’Leary, Patrique Kelly (Vice Capt), Lynn Cantwell, Vivian Boland, Louise Beamish, Joy Neville, Fiona Steed (Capt.), Monica Dunn, Aisling O’Brien, Rosie Foley, Rosemary Brown, Elaine Collins, Olivia Brown.

Replacements: Jean Lonergan, Regina O’Reilly, Maeve Quirke, Wendy Keenan, Eilis Cowhey, Alison Donnelly, Sara Jane Belton.