Munster Women claim bonus-point win over Ulster

The Munster Women squad, sponsored by Keane’s jewellers, recorded a 32-5 bonus-point victory over Ulster in their second Interprovincial match at Garryowen FC on Saturday.

A single try separated the teams at the interval with Munster’s Rachel Allen the only scorer of a well-worked try in the 20^th minute (5-0).

Munster enjoyed the majority of possession in the first-half and were halted by an impressive Ulster defensive unit on a number of occasions.

Ulster Prop Ilse Van Staden saw yellow in the 35^th minute, as the visitors managed to keep a clean sheet during the 10-minute period with 14.

After the break, Laura Guest’s side capitalised on the chances from the first-half and it wasn’t long before the Munster contingent were back on the scoreboard.

Second-row Chloe Pearse crossed in the 46^th minute before centre Niamh Kavanagh claimed Munster’s third try of the match after 50 minutes with the conversion added by Ellen Murphy.

The hosts continued to pressurise the Ulster defence and a bonus-point try was then secured following a touch down from wing Laura Sheehan in the 59^th minute.

Ulster responded minutes later with replacement Amy Graham earning five points for her side before the conversion attempt drifted wide of the posts.

Munster probed deep into the opposition half in the final ten minutes and were rewarded with a score from second-row Edel Murphy in the 78^th minute.

A last-minute try then rounded off proceedings as replacement Christine Arthurs went over for Munster’s sixth try to complete an impressive squad performance.

Munster will now prepare to face Leinster in their final match of the Interprovincial campaign on Saturday 16 December at Thomond Park (KO 2.30pm).

HT: Munster Women 5-0 Ulster Women

FT: Munster Women 32-5 Ulster Women

Scorers: Munster: Tries: Rachel Allen, Chloe Pearse, Niamh Kavanagh, Laura Sheehan, Edel Murphy, Christine Arthurs. Con: Ellen Murphy. Ulster: Tries: Amy Graham.

Munster: Laura O’Mahony (UL Bohemian); Laura Sheehan (UL Bohemian), Aine Staunton (UL Bohemian), Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemian), Syphonia Pua (UL Bohemian); Rachel Allen (UL Bohemian), Ellen Murphy (Old Belvedere); Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemian), Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemian), Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemian); Siobhan McCarthy (Railway Union), Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian); Edel Murphy (UL Bohemian), Siobhan Fleming (Tralee), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian).

Replacements: Leah Lyons (Highfield), Maura Collins (Tralee), Zoe Grattage (Highfield), Roisin Ormond (Ballincollig), Anna Caplice (UL Bohemian), Christine Arthurs (Highfield), Valerie Power (Shannon), Linda McNamara (Highfield).