Munster made it three wins from three in this year’s Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship after recording a hard-fought bonus-point 24-29 win over Connacht at Dexcom Stadium.
Munster now look forward to a final meeting against Leinster or Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium next Saturday (4.15pm).
Munster got off to a bright start with a kick over the top from Kate Flannery putting the home side under pressure. Connacht conceded a penalty for holding on which was taken quickly and the move saw captain Chloe Pearse crash over from close range. Flannery nailed the touchline conversion to give Munster an early 0-7 lead.
Two minutes later, Munster were on the scoreboard once again. Lucia Linn, making her first start for Munster, broke through the Munster defence before passing out wide to Chisom Ugwueru. Chisom showed excellent pace and power as she produced the fend to get her away from the last defender and score in the corner. Flannery’s conversion just dropped short.
Connacht began to enjoy more possession but weren’t able to convert that into points on the board. Midway through the first half, some patient build-up play from Munster saw Alana McInerney cross for her fifth try of this Interprovincial Championship. Flannery’s conversion was wide as Munster’s lead stretched to 0-17.
Eight minutes from half-time, Munster secured the bonus-point when Beth Buttimer crossed for a try off the back of a strong rolling maul. This gave Munster a 0-22 lead.
Connacht got a deserved try at the end of the first half when Faith Oviawe broke through to get her side’s opening score of the game to leave it 5-22 at half-time.
It took until the midway point of the second half for the next score and it went the way of Munster as Muirne Wall spotted a gap at the ruck and sprinted downfield. The Kerry woman then drew in the last defender before releasing a brilliant pass to McInerney. The in-form winger produced a lovely side step to get around the last defender before dotting down under the posts. Flannery added the extras to give Munster a 5-29 lead.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, Connacht got their second try on the board when Orla Dixon crashed over. Nicole Fowley put over an excellent conversion to reduce the arrears to 12-29.
Edel McMahon got Connacht’s third try on the 73rd minute mark when she powered through the Munster defence to cross from close range. Fowley’s conversion went just wide with a little over five minutes to go.
At the death, Connacht went over for one more after they won the ball in a scrum against the head and spread the ball wide to Dixon who went over for her second try.
At the time of writing, Munster will take on either Ulster or Leinster in next Saturday’s final at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast (4.15pm).
