Munster beat holders Leinster to take control of interpros, Connacht turn it around against Ulster
MUNSTER PUT THEMSELVES in pole position for a shot at regaining the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship title following a business-like 33-22 win over Leinster at Energia Park.
Playing with a maturity beyond her years, 19-year-old out-half Caitríona Finn turned in her second Player of the Match performance in the space of a week as Munster handed the defending champions a rare home defeat.
Chisom Ugwueru's try just before half-time, adding to a quick-fire Chloe Pearse brace either side of the 20-minute mark, had Munster leading 19-10 as they proved clinical with ball in hand.
Leinster debutant Vicky Elmes Kinlan's dazzling opener had certainly raised the decibel level. Yellow cards for forwards Lisa Callan and Jane Neill hampered them, albeit that Kathy Baker was able to cross in the 28th minute.
However, Matt Brown's charges effectively sealed the result when Kate Flannery and Aoife Corey both touched down inside 12 minutes of the restart. Molly Boyne and Katie Whelan replied late on for Leinster, giving them their own bonus point.
Caitriona Finn starred for Munster. Andrew Conan / INPHO Andrew Conan / INPHO / INPHO
With back-to-back bonus point victories, and next Saturday's trip to Ulster still to come, Munster look red-hot favourites for the final in Donnybrook in two weeks' time. To set up a rematch with their arch rivals, Leinster will need to beat Connacht in Galway next week.
Leinster scorers
Tries: Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Kathy Baker, Molly Boyne, Katie Whelan
Con: Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton
Munster scorers
Tries: Chloe Pearse 2, Chisom Ugwueru, Kate Flannery, Aoife Corey
Cons: Caitríona Finn 4.
LEINSTER: Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton (Old Belvedere RFC); Emma Brogan (MU Barnhall RFC), Kathy Baker (Blackrock College RFC), Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC), Maggie Boylan (Blackrock College RFC); Nikki Caughey (Railway Union RFC), Jade Gaffney (Old Belvedere RFC); Aoife Moore (Blackrock College RFC), Lisa Callan (Old Belvedere RFC), Katie Layde (Old Belvedere RFC), Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair (Blackrock College RFC), Kate Jordan (Blackrock College RFC), Ciara Short (Wicklow RFC), Molly Boyne (Railway Union RFC) (capt), Jane Neill (Old Belvedere RFC).
Replacements: Kelly Burke (MU Barnhall RFC), Hannah Wilson (Old Belvedere RFC), Clodagh Dunne (Old Belvedere RFC), Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan RFC), Rosie Searle (Navan RFC), Katie Whelan (Old Belvedere RFC), Heidi Lyons (Naas RFC), Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere RFC).
MUNSTER: Aoife Corey (UL Bohemian RFC); Órna Moynihan (Ennis RFC), Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC), Stephanie Nunan (UL Bohemian RFC), Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC); Caitríona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC), Abbie Salter-Townshend (UL Bohemian RFC); Gráinne Burke (UL Bohemian RFC), Aoife Fleming (Ballincollig RFC), Eilís Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC), Aoibhe O'Flynn (UL Bohemian RFC), Claire Bennett (UL Bohemian RFC), Clodagh O'Halloran (UL Bohemian RFC), Maeve Óg O'Leary (Blackrock College RFC) (capt), Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian RFC).
Replacements: Emma Dunican (Tralee RFC), Ciara McLoughlin (UL Bohemian RFC), Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC), Lily Morris (Ballincollig RFC), Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere RFC), Eve Prendergast (Ballincollig RFC), Lucia Linn (UL Bohemian RFC), Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC).
Referee: Siobhán Daly (IRFU).
Munster's Maeve Óg O'Leary and Leinster's Kelly Burke after the match. Andrew Conan / INPHO Andrew Conan / INPHO / INPHO
**********
Advertisement
Connacht 12-7 Ulster
Second-half tries from replacement Faith Oviawe and Roisin Maher steered a young Connacht team to a gutsy 12-7 win over Ulster at Dexcom Stadium.
With 21-year-old captain and Player of the Match Éabha Nic Dhonnacha leading by example, Emer O'Dowd's charges recovered from an early deficit to open their win account in this year's Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship.
Ulster's new centre Siobhán Sheerin thundered over in the ninth minute, raising her side's hopes of a first victory at this level in two years. They still led 7-0 after half-time, emerging unscathed from Brenda Barr's sin-binning.
Nonetheless, with Connacht's bench having the desired impact, forwards Oviawe and Maher scored within seven minutes of each other. In addition, Nic Dhonnacha clipped over the first conversion.
Connacht's Hannah Clarke and Kate Farrell-McCabe of Ulster. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
The hosts, who wore their club socks on their State of Origin day, remained on the front foot and saw out a rousing triumph, putting last week's disappointing display against Munster to bed.
Unfortunately the hard-earned four points came at a cost for Connacht as the luckless Kayla Waldron was stretchered off in her first game since a horrific leg break in April 2024. There was a lot of concern too for Emily Foley who was taken off with an injury late on.
Ulster picked up a losing bonus point for their efforts, and will have home advantage against table toppers Munster at Affidea Stadium next Saturday. Connacht remain in Galway, with a place in the final to play for against Leinster, who are two points better off.
Connacht scorers
Tries: Faith Oviawe, Roisin Maher
Con: Éabha Nic Dhonnacha
Ulster scorers
Try: Siobhán Sheerin
Con: Siobhán Sheerin
CONNACHT: Clara Barrett (UL Bohemian RFC); Emily Foley (Galwegians RFC), Orla Dixon (Galwegians RFC), Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (UL Bohemian RFC) (capt), Hannah Clarke (Old Belvedere RFC); Kayla Waldron (Railway Union RFC), Gráinne Moran (Galwegians RFC); Hannah Coen (Creggs RFC), Lily Brady (Westport RFC/UL Bohemian RFC), Roisin Maher (Galwegians RFC), Poppy Garvey (Railway Union RFC), Grace Browne Moran (Galwegians RFC), Beibhinn Gleeson (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), Ailish Quinn (Galwegians RFC), Jemima Adams Verling (Creggs RFC).
Replacements: Stacy Hanley (Galwegians RFC), Ellen Connolly (Galwegians RFC), Hope Lowney (MU Barnhall RFC), Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC), Caoilfhionn Conway Morrissey (Ennis RFC), Lesley Ring (Old Belvedere RFC), Ava Ryder (Blackrock College RFC), Fódhla Ní Bhraonáin (Tuam/Oughterard RFC).
A view of a scrum. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
ULSTER: Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC); Lucy Thompson (Enniskillen RFC/Cooke RFC), Siobhán Sheerin (Clogher Valley RFC), Tara O'Neill (Cooke RFC), Niamh Marley (Cooke RFC); Lauren Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC), Georgia Boyce (Cooke RFC); Sarah Roberts (Queen's University Belfast RFC), Maebh Clenaghan (Queen's University Belfast RFC), Ava Fannin (Blackrock College RFC), Lauren Darley (Queen's University Belfast RFC), Brenda Barr (Suttonians RFC), Moya Hill (Enniskillen RFC), Ruby Starrett (Queen's University Belfast RFC), India Daley (Enniskillen RFC/Blackrock College RFC) (capt).
Replacements: Cara McLean (Larne RFC), Megan Simpson (Cooke RFC), Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC), Rebecca Beacom (Enniskillen RFC), Katie Hetherington (Clogher Valley RFC), Sophie Meeke (Enniskillen RFC), Kelly McCormill (Cooke RFC), Stacey Sloan (Cooke RFC).
Referee: John Purcell (IRFU).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Johnny Sexton and wife Laura have unexpected reunion with Ireland legend's former rival at Oasis concert in Croke Park
Two of Sexton's former teammates were also at the concert BIG NAMES Johnny Sexton and wife Laura have unexpected reunion with Ireland legend's former rival at Oasis concert in Croke Park JOHNNY SEXTON met one of his fiercest former rivals as he and his wife went to see Oasis at Croke Park. The former Ireland and Leinster out-half and his wife Laura were among the swarms of fans who were at the concert at GAAHQ. 2 Johnny Sexton shared a pic with fellow rugby legend Owen Farrell 2 They were both at Croke Park to watch Oasis And amid the tens of thousands of people that made the trip, Sexton just so happened to come across fellow rugby legend Owen Farrell. The son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was also in Dublin for the concert with his wife Georgie. Sexton and Farrell were frequent rivals during the Irishman's playing career. But they put that rivalry aside to share a photograph together which Sexton reshared to his Instagram Story. Rugby personalities were well represented at Croke Park on Saturday night, with Brian O'Driscoll using the experience to aim a dig at Rob Kearney. He was joined at the concert by his fellow rugby legend, who went to the historic show alongside wife Jess Redden. Not only that, but they were seated alongside one another, with Kearney clearly enjoying the acclaimed performance. O'Driscoll shared one pic of his friend to his Instagram Story alongside a cheeky dig at the 39-year-old. He said: "Definitely Maybe was still s****ng his pants when this album came out!" Saturday night's show was the first of two concerts to be held in Dublin, with the second being on Sunday night. Oasis lights up Dublin sky And Kearney's wife Jess whetted the appetite of those lucky enough to have secured tickets for the show. She said: "What a night. If you're going tonight, have the best time - iconic show!" Kearney and O'Driscoll were far from the only sports star who turned out to Croke Park on Saturday night. Former Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch was another one of those. He posed for pics with several people during the show, including a budding musician. Jack Schiavo plays alongside Liam Gallagher's son, Gene, in the band Villanelle, and was "humbled" to be snapped alongside the Premier League pundit. The 44-year-old had made headlines when he left his duty as pundit for TNT Sport DURING their live TV broadcast of a Premier League opener. The former England striker was alongside Joe Cole for Saturday's early game as Aston Villa drew 0-0 with Newcastle. At the end of TNT Sports' live coverage, Crouch could not wait to get off screen and make his way to the airport. He was teased by presenter Lynsey Hipgrave, who said: "That's about all we have got time for, oh sorry, I have just been told we have got more time all of a sudden. We can carry on talking for a bit." Crouch replied: "No, Lynsey, I am going to Oasis tonight, that's not happening. I've got a flight to catch." Joe Cole interjected: "Let the man leave. He's done his job. He's done enough." Crouch then dropped the microphone and hilariously sprinted off camera. Cole responded: "I am so jealous." And Hipgrave then brilliantly added: "Pete, don't look back in anger."
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Four Wicklow women represent Leinster in Interpro opener
Wicklow People Today at 02:30 Four County Wicklow ladies featured for Leinster during their 37-21 victory over Ulster in the opening round of the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship at Energia Park on Sunday afternoon. Arklow native Jane Neil was alongside Ciara Short in the starting backrow as the Wicklow RFC player made her debut in blue for Ben Martin's team, while former Wicklow RFC captain Erin McConnell and Donard's Katie Corrigan made their debuts off the bench.
The 42
18 hours ago
- The 42
Munster beat holders Leinster to take control of interpros, Connacht turn it around against Ulster
Leinster 22-33 Munster MUNSTER PUT THEMSELVES in pole position for a shot at regaining the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship title following a business-like 33-22 win over Leinster at Energia Park. Playing with a maturity beyond her years, 19-year-old out-half Caitríona Finn turned in her second Player of the Match performance in the space of a week as Munster handed the defending champions a rare home defeat. Chisom Ugwueru's try just before half-time, adding to a quick-fire Chloe Pearse brace either side of the 20-minute mark, had Munster leading 19-10 as they proved clinical with ball in hand. Leinster debutant Vicky Elmes Kinlan's dazzling opener had certainly raised the decibel level. Yellow cards for forwards Lisa Callan and Jane Neill hampered them, albeit that Kathy Baker was able to cross in the 28th minute. However, Matt Brown's charges effectively sealed the result when Kate Flannery and Aoife Corey both touched down inside 12 minutes of the restart. Molly Boyne and Katie Whelan replied late on for Leinster, giving them their own bonus point. Caitriona Finn starred for Munster. Andrew Conan / INPHO Andrew Conan / INPHO / INPHO With back-to-back bonus point victories, and next Saturday's trip to Ulster still to come, Munster look red-hot favourites for the final in Donnybrook in two weeks' time. To set up a rematch with their arch rivals, Leinster will need to beat Connacht in Galway next week. Leinster scorers Tries: Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Kathy Baker, Molly Boyne, Katie Whelan Con: Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton Munster scorers Tries: Chloe Pearse 2, Chisom Ugwueru, Kate Flannery, Aoife Corey Cons: Caitríona Finn 4. LEINSTER: Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton (Old Belvedere RFC); Emma Brogan (MU Barnhall RFC), Kathy Baker (Blackrock College RFC), Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC), Maggie Boylan (Blackrock College RFC); Nikki Caughey (Railway Union RFC), Jade Gaffney (Old Belvedere RFC); Aoife Moore (Blackrock College RFC), Lisa Callan (Old Belvedere RFC), Katie Layde (Old Belvedere RFC), Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair (Blackrock College RFC), Kate Jordan (Blackrock College RFC), Ciara Short (Wicklow RFC), Molly Boyne (Railway Union RFC) (capt), Jane Neill (Old Belvedere RFC). Replacements: Kelly Burke (MU Barnhall RFC), Hannah Wilson (Old Belvedere RFC), Clodagh Dunne (Old Belvedere RFC), Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan RFC), Rosie Searle (Navan RFC), Katie Whelan (Old Belvedere RFC), Heidi Lyons (Naas RFC), Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere RFC). MUNSTER: Aoife Corey (UL Bohemian RFC); Órna Moynihan (Ennis RFC), Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC), Stephanie Nunan (UL Bohemian RFC), Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC); Caitríona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC), Abbie Salter-Townshend (UL Bohemian RFC); Gráinne Burke (UL Bohemian RFC), Aoife Fleming (Ballincollig RFC), Eilís Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC), Aoibhe O'Flynn (UL Bohemian RFC), Claire Bennett (UL Bohemian RFC), Clodagh O'Halloran (UL Bohemian RFC), Maeve Óg O'Leary (Blackrock College RFC) (capt), Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian RFC). Replacements: Emma Dunican (Tralee RFC), Ciara McLoughlin (UL Bohemian RFC), Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC), Lily Morris (Ballincollig RFC), Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere RFC), Eve Prendergast (Ballincollig RFC), Lucia Linn (UL Bohemian RFC), Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC). Referee: Siobhán Daly (IRFU). Munster's Maeve Óg O'Leary and Leinster's Kelly Burke after the match. Andrew Conan / INPHO Andrew Conan / INPHO / INPHO ********** Advertisement Connacht 12-7 Ulster Second-half tries from replacement Faith Oviawe and Roisin Maher steered a young Connacht team to a gutsy 12-7 win over Ulster at Dexcom Stadium. With 21-year-old captain and Player of the Match Éabha Nic Dhonnacha leading by example, Emer O'Dowd's charges recovered from an early deficit to open their win account in this year's Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship. Ulster's new centre Siobhán Sheerin thundered over in the ninth minute, raising her side's hopes of a first victory at this level in two years. They still led 7-0 after half-time, emerging unscathed from Brenda Barr's sin-binning. Nonetheless, with Connacht's bench having the desired impact, forwards Oviawe and Maher scored within seven minutes of each other. In addition, Nic Dhonnacha clipped over the first conversion. Connacht's Hannah Clarke and Kate Farrell-McCabe of Ulster. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO The hosts, who wore their club socks on their State of Origin day, remained on the front foot and saw out a rousing triumph, putting last week's disappointing display against Munster to bed. Unfortunately the hard-earned four points came at a cost for Connacht as the luckless Kayla Waldron was stretchered off in her first game since a horrific leg break in April 2024. There was a lot of concern too for Emily Foley who was taken off with an injury late on. Ulster picked up a losing bonus point for their efforts, and will have home advantage against table toppers Munster at Affidea Stadium next Saturday. Connacht remain in Galway, with a place in the final to play for against Leinster, who are two points better off. Connacht scorers Tries: Faith Oviawe, Roisin Maher Con: Éabha Nic Dhonnacha Ulster scorers Try: Siobhán Sheerin Con: Siobhán Sheerin CONNACHT: Clara Barrett (UL Bohemian RFC); Emily Foley (Galwegians RFC), Orla Dixon (Galwegians RFC), Éabha Nic Dhonnacha (UL Bohemian RFC) (capt), Hannah Clarke (Old Belvedere RFC); Kayla Waldron (Railway Union RFC), Gráinne Moran (Galwegians RFC); Hannah Coen (Creggs RFC), Lily Brady (Westport RFC/UL Bohemian RFC), Roisin Maher (Galwegians RFC), Poppy Garvey (Railway Union RFC), Grace Browne Moran (Galwegians RFC), Beibhinn Gleeson (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), Ailish Quinn (Galwegians RFC), Jemima Adams Verling (Creggs RFC). Replacements: Stacy Hanley (Galwegians RFC), Ellen Connolly (Galwegians RFC), Hope Lowney (MU Barnhall RFC), Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC), Caoilfhionn Conway Morrissey (Ennis RFC), Lesley Ring (Old Belvedere RFC), Ava Ryder (Blackrock College RFC), Fódhla Ní Bhraonáin (Tuam/Oughterard RFC). A view of a scrum. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO ULSTER: Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC); Lucy Thompson (Enniskillen RFC/Cooke RFC), Siobhán Sheerin (Clogher Valley RFC), Tara O'Neill (Cooke RFC), Niamh Marley (Cooke RFC); Lauren Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC), Georgia Boyce (Cooke RFC); Sarah Roberts (Queen's University Belfast RFC), Maebh Clenaghan (Queen's University Belfast RFC), Ava Fannin (Blackrock College RFC), Lauren Darley (Queen's University Belfast RFC), Brenda Barr (Suttonians RFC), Moya Hill (Enniskillen RFC), Ruby Starrett (Queen's University Belfast RFC), India Daley (Enniskillen RFC/Blackrock College RFC) (capt). Replacements: Cara McLean (Larne RFC), Megan Simpson (Cooke RFC), Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC), Rebecca Beacom (Enniskillen RFC), Katie Hetherington (Clogher Valley RFC), Sophie Meeke (Enniskillen RFC), Kelly McCormill (Cooke RFC), Stacey Sloan (Cooke RFC). Referee: John Purcell (IRFU).
