Munster Women’s Squad Named For Belfast Opener

Wayne Falvey has named his first Munster women’s squad ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast (ko 3pm).

Players from Highfield and UL Bohemians make up the bulk of the youthful squad, sponsored by Keanes Jewellers, with a number of the province’s Irish internationals not included after an exhausting World Cup in France.

Head Coach Falvey took the reins in June and he’s been happy with the standard set in training over the last number of weeks.

“There is a young squad there and they’re in there because they’re the best players and they’ve trained very well over the last few weeks,” said Falvey.

“And hopefully now they can take their chance in the red jersey.

“Only two of the girls from the international set-up are after coming back – Fiona Hayes and Laura Guest, who captains the side. The rest are ruled out after so much involvement at the World Cup.

“There’s definitely young talent coming through and there’s a great opportunity now for them to stake their claim.

“There is big potential in the squad for the next generation of international players so this is their opportunity to show what they’re made of.

“It’s a difficult task going up to Ulster for the first game but if we can play the way we’re training at the moment the result will follow and hopefully that will have a knock-on effect for the following weekend against Leinster and we can start off on a strong note,” Falvey added.

Munster team to face Ulster tomorrow:

15. Mairead Kelly (UL Bohemian RFC)
14. Debhile Nic A Bhaird (Highfield RFC)
13. Ger Rea (Highfield RFC)
12. Nicola Scully (Highfield RFC)
11. Ashling Hutchings (UL Bohemian RFC)
10. Laura O’Mahony (Tralee RFC)
9. Mona Fehily (Highfield RFC)

1. Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemian RFC)
2. Amy Desmond (Highfield RFC)
3. Leah Lyons (Fermoy RFC)
4. Gerda Coyne (Highfield RFC)
5. Elaine Anthony (Highfield RFC)
6. Roisin Ormond (Highfield RFC)
7. Ciara Griffin (Tralee RFC)
8. Laura Guest (Capt.) (Highfield RFC)

Replacements
16. Kate Sheehan (UL Bohemian RFC)
17. Maura Collins (Abbeyfeale RFC)
18. Leah Barbour (UL Bohemian RFC)
19. Maeve Darcy (UL Bohemian RFC)
20. Marie Eviston (UL Bohemian RFC)
21. Ayesha Roche (Tralee RFC)
22. Mollie O’Donnell (UL Bohemian RFC)
23. Michelle Barry (Tralee RFC)

Ulster Women’s Squad

15. Vicky Irwin (Ormskirk RFC)
14. Emma Jordan (Queen’s University)
13. Peita McAlister (Queen’s University)
12. Claire McLaughlin (Queen’s University)
11. Zoe Templeton (Queen’s University)
10. Jemma Jackson (Queen’s University)
9. Imogen Porter (Queen’s University)

1. lse Van Staden (Belfast Harlequins RFC)
2. Lesley Megarity (Belfast Harlequins RFC)
3. Nikita Armstrong (captain, Cooke RFC)
4. Sorcha Chipperfield (Cooke RFC)
5. Lizzie Ballentine (Cooke RFC)
6. Shirelle Wilson (Cooke RFC)
7. Hannah Kilgore (Cooke RFC)
8. Lauren Maginnes (Queen’s University)

Replacements
16. Shannon Heapes (Finn Valley RFC)
17. Janine Mullan (Queen’s University)
18. Sabrina Higgins (Carrick RFC)
19. Laura Johnston (Cooke RFC)
20. Rebecca Smyth (Belfast Harlequins)
21. Noreen Nethercot (Enniskillen RFC)
22. Steffi Clarke (Queen’s University)
23. Stacey Sloan (City Of Derry)

Munster Women’s Interprovincial Fixtures
Tomorrow, Ulster v Munster, Kingspan Stadium, 3pm, Sept 13, Leinster v Munster, Ashbourne RFC, 2pm, Sept. 20, Munster v Connacht, Tralee RFC, 2:30.