Munster Women & U18 Girls Interpro Openers
1st September 2018 By The Editor
Munster Women's scrum-half Nicole Cronin provided quick ball in the win over Connacht
The Munster Women and Munster U18 Girls squads opened their Interprovincial title defences with a double-header at Irish Independent Park on Saturday afternoon.
Munster Women 24-7 Connacht Women
Munster Women, sponsored by Keane’s jewellers, opened the defence of their Interprovincial Championship title with a 24-7 win over Connacht at Irish Independent Park.
Laura Guest’s side made an impressive start to the match with the out-half partnership between Nicole Cronin and Rachel Allen-Connolly ensuring early possession.
Munster then secured the first points through Number 8, Chloe Pearse, who barged over from close range following impressive work from the forwards.
Centre Niamh Briggs added the conversion in the sixth minute.
It wasn’t long before further possession saw the home side over again, Allen-Connolly made a launch for the line before captain Fiona Hayes bustled over right of the sticks in the 15th minute. Briggs converted.
Munster continued to pressurise with second-row Roisin Ormond making a fantastic break after stealing ball from the line-out.
Wing Laura Sheehan and full-back Enya Breen combined effectively down the left wing with spaces opening up for the Munster back-line.
Pearse came close to another score in the 35th minute, after Ireland Women’s captain, Ciara Griffin, made the hard yards from the line-out to release her fellow back-row in the left corner.
Minutes later a penalty was awarded Munster’s way, Briggs stepped-up to convert the opportunity in front of the posts and before the break.
Half-time: Munster Women 17-0 Connacht Women
Connacht came out fighting in the second-half with Number 8, Nichola Fryday, looking dangerous in attack and prop Laura Feely gaining metres.
Connacht full-back Jill Draper moved the ball out to Shannon Touhy with the centre powering over to secure the visitors’ first points in the 44th minute before Nicole Fowley added the extras.
A penalty opportunity then presented itself for Connacht minutes later, however Fowley struck the post with her attempt.
Centre Niamh Kavanagh made a scintillating tackle to force the knock-on and hand possession back to Munster.
The home side utilised their position deep inside the 22 to gain back control and with a series of scrums, Munster proved their dominance.
A fantastic break from Breen released the impressive Eimear Considine, who ran the perfect line to race over under the posts. Breen converted in the 79th minute.
Munster Tries: Chloe Pearse, Fiona Hayes, Eimear Considine. Conversions: Niamh Briggs (2), Enya Breen (1). Penalties: Niamh Briggs (1).
Full-time: Munster Women 24-7 Connacht Women
Munster Women: Enya Breen (Bantry Bay RFC), Laura O’Mahony (UL Bohemian RFC), Niamh Kavanagh (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 Bohemian RFC) (C). Replacements: Orla Curtin (Shannon RFC), Andrea Stock (Bantry Bay RFC), Clodagh Cronin (Durham University RFC), Clodagh O’Halloran (UL Bohemian RFC), Sarah Quin (Richmond RFC), Christine Coffey (Thurles RFC), Ciara Scanlan (St. Marys College RFC), Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian RFC).
Referee: Glenn Sheridan
Munster Women will now take on Ulster at Portadown RFC this Sunday (1pm) before facing Leinster at Energia Park on Saturday 15 September (7.30pm).
Above: Munster’s Gemma Lane in action against Leinster U18 Girls.
Munster U18 Girls 14-31 Leinster U18 Girls
Munster U18 Girls lost out to Leinster 14-31 in their opening Interprovincial match at Irish Independent Park on Saturday.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring with a try from Ella Roberts, converted by Ava Jenkins in the 20th minute.
Munster then responded following a spell of possession around the half-hour mark, Maggie Boylan collecting loose ball to race over with Marliese Flynn adding the extras.
Half-time: Munster U18 Girls 7-12 Leinster U18 Girls
The home side took the lead after the break with a terrific score from Rebecca Hayes following several phases. Flynn added the conversion in the 45th minute.
However, Leinster found themselves inside the Munster 22 and it wasn’t long before Roberts went over for her second try of the afternoon, converted by Jenkins.
Minutes later, Leinster capitalised while on the break and Ali Miley raced over despite fantastic tracking from Munster’s Gemma Lane.
In the final moments, Leinster extended their lead through Ciara Carbery before Jenkins added another conversion.
Munster Tries: Maggie Boylan, Rebecca Hayes. Conversions: Marliese Flynn (2).
Full-time: Munster U18 Girls 14-31 Leinster U18 Girls
Munster U18 Girls: Marliese Flynn (Listowel RFC); Jennifer Fogarty (Fethard RFC), Meabh McElligot (Fethard RFC), Maeve O’Leary (Ballina Killaloe RFC), Alana McInerney (Ennis RFC); Maggie Boylan (Carrick On Suir RFC) (VC); Gemma Lane (Mallow RFC), Niamh Thornton (Skibbereen RFC), Sarah Murphy (Kanturk RFC), Sarah O’Gorman (Newport RFC), Eilish Cahil (Ennis RFC), Claire Bennett (Fethard RFC) (VC), Rebecca Reilly (Listowel RFC), Faye Dowling (Fethard RFC), Rebecca Hayes (Bantry Bay RFC) (C). Replacements: Clodagh Mc Donnell (Ennis RFC), Latisha Wycherley (Bantry RFC), Orla O’Donnell (Fethard RFC), Anna Kavanagh (Skibbereen RFC), Allanagh O’Hanlon (Carrick On Suir RFC), Kate Molloy (Fethard RFC), Roisin Houlihan (Ballina Killaloe RFC), Kara O’Sullivan (Kanturk RFC).
Referee: Stuart Donaldson
The squad will travel to the Sportsground to face Connacht this Sunday (1pm), before their final Interpro encounter with Ulster at MU Barnhall on Saturday 15 September (2.45pm).
