Munster Prepare to Defend Their Title

Munster kick off the defence of their Interprovincial title this weekend when they play Ulster in the opening round of the competition.

Ulster v Munster, Ravenhill, Sat. 13th September, ko 1.30pm

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Munster, led this season by Eimear O’Sullivan, are looking for their third title in a row but will face intense competition from the northerners as well as Leinster who have pushed them extremely close in recent seasons.

The team to play this weekend has a familiar look to it though O’Sullivan adds that the squad has been working on a number of different combinations. "We are missing a few key players from last years squad either through injury or unavailability and this has opened the door for the new younger players coming through and we have been really impressed with the standard."

Munster will be favourites against Ulster this weekend as though the northern team are always committed, they have failed to match the standards set in recent seasons by their opponents as well as Leinster who have also moved on to new levels but they are still capable of making life very difficult for the champions,
"We never underestimate Ulster," O’Sullivan, who will line out for Ballincollig this year, said.

"They are always one of the toughest and most physical teams to play against. They have a lot of very experienced players and I think the new Experimental Law Variations will suit their style of game but we will be going all out to win."

Coached this year again by Donal O’Driscoll and Fiona Steed, O’Sullivan adds that there is intense competition on the squad for places. "There is huge competition for places on the squad this year. There are some key players coming back from injury and others on the team that are being pushed every week by some of the new players coming through. It’s very exciting to see these players coming through and I think these players are going to shine this year."

Management Team:
Coaches: Donal O’Driscoll and Fiona Steed
Managers: Kate McCarthy and Regina O’Reilly
Video Analyst: Elliot Corcoran
Physiotherapist: Annmarie Minogue

Munster Women’s Team to face Ulster:
15 Briggs, Niamh (Clonmel)
14 Williams, Sandra (Nenagh)
13 Nolan, Theresa (Ballincollig)
12 Brosnan, Helen (Highfield)
11 Murphy, Carol (UL Bohs)
10 Fitzgerald, Nicole (UL Bohs)
9 Beamish, Louise (UL Bohs)
8 Neville, Joy (UL Bohs)
7 O’ Sullivan, Eimear (Ballincollig)
6 O’Loughlin, Kate (Clonmel)
5 Fitzpatrick, Sinead (Waterpark)
4 Scannell, Deirdre (Ballincollig)
3 Barrett, Marie (Ballincollig)
2 Bourke, Gillian (UL Bohs)
1 O’Keeffe, Natasha (Clonmel)
Replacements
16 Fanning, Chris (Highfield)
17 O’Meara, Jo (Waterpark)
18 Buckley, Orla (Waterpark)
19 O’Brien, Heather (Highfield)
20 Bracken, Clara (Waterpark)
21 Aherne, Nicola (Highfield)
22 Cody, Sarajane (UL Bohs)

Travelling Reserves: Whooley, Fran (Ballincollig); O’Connor, Paula (Shannon)