Mixed Weekend As Women Triumph But 20s Beaten

There were contrasting fortunes for Munster players in action for the Ireland Women’s team and the Ireland Under-20s against Wales on Friday night.

The Ireland Women secured their second win of the championship with a tight 14-6 win in blustery Ashbourne but the Under-20s fell to a disappointing 16-0 loss in Athlone.

UL Bohemians’ Niamh Briggs made a triumphant return to the Ireland side as she kicked three penalties with Munster team-mate Heather O’Brien of Highfield scoring the vital try. Tralee’s Siobhan Fleming was the third Munster player in the starting XV with UL Bohemians’ Gill Bourke coming off the bench in the 56th minute.

There were four Munster players involved as the Ireland Under-20s suffered their first loss of the Six Nations campaign.Cork Con’s Max Abbott and Rory Burke started alongside UL Bohemians’ Jack O’Donoghue with Dan Goggin of Young Munster coming off the bench in a 16-0 defeat played in desperate conditions.