Report | Munster Women Pipped To Interpro Title By Leinster

Munster Women, sponsored by Keane’s jewellers, came agonisingly close to retaining their Interprovincial Championship title following a dramatic 14-14 draw with Leinster at Energia Park on Saturday night.

Both sides finished the campaign with two wins and a draw but, with the roles reversed from last year, Leinster secured the silverware thanks to their scoring difference (+64 compared to Munster’s +37).

Munster almost pulled it out of the fire, however the conversion of Rachel Allen-Connolly’s levelling 80th-minute try was agonisingly missed by Niamh Briggs.

Leinster out-half Nikki Caughey led Briggs 9-6 in their place-kicking duel at half-time, with the former Ireland captain opting to go for the corner when Munster got on top early in the second-half.

Laura Guest’s charges were struggling to breach the home defence and Briggs’ third successful penalty in the 63rd minute levelled matters.

That left enough time for the late drama with Linda Djougang hauled down within inches of the line before Leinster reset and touched down out wide through flanker Juliet Short with her fourth try of the Championship.

Munster’s siege was successful in the dying minutes with out-half Allen-Connolly capitalising on an overlap.

Munster Women’s Head Coach, Laura Guest, said: “That was a great game between two great sides. The whole way through the game I thought we’d be fine.

“They’d score, we’d score. As soon as they scored I said we’ll get a try and we’ll convert it. Even as the ball was kicked at the end I thought it looked good so it’s difficult. I’m immensely proud of the girls. I thought they were excellent.

“There’s a lot of girls that came into their first Interpro campaign and really stood tall. That can only benefit us and Adam (Griggs, the Ireland Head Coach) going forward. Hopefully we’ll see some of those red jerseys transform into green jerseys in November and February.”

Munster Women: Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian RFC); Laura O’Mahony (UL Bohemian RFC), Aine Staunton (UL Bohemian RFC), Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemian RFC), Laura Sheehan (UL Bohemian RFC); Rachel Allen-Connolly (UL Bohemian RFC), Nicole Cronin – UL Bohemian RFC; Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemian RFC) (C), Kate Sheehan (UL Bohemian RFC), Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemian RFC), Roisin Ormond (Ballincollig RFC), Siobhan McCarthy (Railway Union RFC), Edel Murphy (UL Bohemian RFC), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian RFC), Chloe Pearse (UL Bohe)mian RFC) (C). Replacements: Andrea Stock (Bantry Bay RFC), Clodagh Cronin (Durham University RFC), Sarah Quin (Richmond RFC), Clodagh O’Halloran (UL Bohemian RFC), Enya Breen (Bantry Bay RFC), Christine Coffey (Thurles RFC), Ciara Scanlan (St. Marys College RFC), Claire Keohane (UL Bohemian RFC).

Referee: Chris Lough