Report | Heartbreak For Munster As Leinster Crowned Champions

For the second season in succession, Munster fell at the final hurdle to Leinster as Tania Rosser’s side were crowned Interpro champions after a 27-7 win in Belfast.

Munster almost got off to the perfect start when a period of sustained pressure close to the Leinster line went unrewarded as Beth Buttimer was held up when attempting to score a try.

With 12 minutes gone, Munster went wide after a Leinster knocked forward. The ball went to in-form winger Alana McInerney and the Clare woman put on the afterburners to beat three Leinster defenders to score under the posts. Kate Flannery notched the conversion to give Munster a 7-0 lead.

Munster suffered a setback after 20 minutes when Jane Clohessy was removed with an injury. Brianna Heylmann came on in her place.

Leinster hit back after 23 minutes when a clearing kick from the Women in blue was tapped backwards to Leah Tarpey and the centre had too much pace for the chasing Munster defenders as she scored under the posts. Nikki Caughey converted to level the game.

Leinster took the lead with six minutes remaining in the first half when Caughey added three points when Munster were pinged for offside.

Just before the break, Munster suffered a hammer blow when Aoife Wafer crashed over from close range which Caughey converted to leave Leinster leading 7-17 at the break.

Munster had to repel some intense Leinster pressure at the beginning of the second half and they almost got back in the game with eight minutes played in the second half when Dorothy Wall seemed to have crossed for Munster’s second try. However, after a TMO review, the ball was determined to be held up.

Dannah O’Brien extended Leinster’s lead after 55 minutes with a penalty.

Tarpey got her second try of the game just two minutes later when Aoife Dalton broke through the Munster defence before offloading to Tarpey to put 20 points between the sides with as many minutes remaining after O’Brien’s conversion.

Munster battled bravely in the final 20 minutes but couldn’t get over for a second try which their performance deserved.

As such, it was unfortunately a familiar feeling from this time last year as Leinster closed out the win to be crowned Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Champions.

Munster: Aoife Corey (UL Bohemian RFC); Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC), Stephanie Nunan (UL Bohemian RFC), Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC), Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC); Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC), Muirne Wall (UL Bohemian RFC); Siobhan McCarthy (Gloucester-Hartpury), Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC), Éilis Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC); Dorothy Wall (Exeter Chiefs) Claire Bennett (UL Bohemian RFC); Clodagh O’Halloran (UL Bohemian RFC), Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC), Chloe Pearse (C) (UL Bohemian RFC).

Replacements: Aoibheann McGrath (Dungarvan RFC), Ciara O’Dwyer (UL Bohemian RFC), Ciara McLoughlin (UL Bohemian RFC), Aoibhe O’ Flynn (UL Bohemian RFC), Brianna Heylmann (UL Bohemian RFC), Caitriona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC), Lucia Linn (Loughborough Lightning), Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian RFC).