Two Wins From Two For Munster Women

The Munster Women’s team, sponsored by Keanes jewellers, made it two wins from two in the Interprovincial series thanks to a 12-8 win over Connacht at Irish Independent Park on Saturday.

Tries in the first half from Eimear Considine and Deirbhle Nic a Bhaird helped Munster into a 12-3 half-time lead with Edel Murphy adding a conversion.

The hosts were unable to add any more scores after the break and although Connacht did manage a second-half try, Munster held on for a narrow win.

A win against Leinster away in Donnybrook next Saturday afternoon will seal the Interpro title for Munster.

Connacht number 10 Clare Raftery got the visitors off to a perfect start on Saturday with a third minute penalty.

Considine replied with a tremendous solo run from halfway, hurtling onto Heather O'Brien's cleverly delayed pass to shoot past three initial defenders, evade the grasp of Shannon Touhey and then step around the covering Mairead Coyne to finish near the left corner.

Into the second quarter, Wayne Falvey's side were clinical again – this time in the Connacht 22 – as out-half Valerie Power's pop pass sent the elusive Nic a Bhaird weaving through the midfield traffic to touch down under the posts, with Murphy converting.

Munster failed to add to their 12-point tally in an equally hard-fought second half. Connacht had increasing threats in their back-line with Ireland internationals Nicole Fowley and Alison Miller both sprung from the bench.

Precise passing gave Portlaoise flyer Miller enough space on the left wing to run in a 72nd minute try and although they could not get any closer, the losing bonus point does keep Connacht's title hopes alive.

Munster: Edel Murphy; Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Niamh Kavanagh, Nicola Scully, Eimear Considine; Valerie Power, Ellen Murphy; Fiona Hayes, Gill Bourke, Leah Lyons, Chloe Pearse, Orlaith Buckley, Siobhan Fleming (C), Anna Caplice, Heather O'Brien.

Replacements: Zoe Grattage, Fiona Reidy, Nuala O'Connor, Ciara Griffin, Christine Arthurs, Mona Fehily, Áine Staunton, Laura Sheehan.

Connacht: Mairead Coyne; Orla Dixon, Shannon Touhey, Emma Clery (capt), Jill Draper; Clare Raftery, Mary Healy; Laura Feely, Ciara O'Connor, Anne-Marie O'Hora, Amelie Roux, Marion Sheridan, Heather Cary, Grainne Egan, Nichola Fryday.

Replacements: Eimear Murphy, Valerie Mitchell, Tara Buggie, Carol Staunton, Shannen Lane, Nicole Fowley, Alison Miller, Ursula Sammon.

Munster Women's Interprovincial Fixtures and Results
December 3
Ulster 3-16 Munster, Kingspan Stadium

December 10
Munster 12-8 Connacht, Irish Independent Park

December 17
Leinster v Munster, Donnybrook, 2.30pm