Brogan hat-trick helps Leinster to win over Ulster
Back-to-back champions Leinster began their Women's Interprovincial Championship title defence with a seven-try victory over Ulster in Dublin.In a game played without any of the Irish international preparing for this month's World Cup, Emma Brogan scored a hat-trick and Katy Baker crossed once in each half during the 37-22 win. The hosts, now under new head coach Ben Martin, raced into an early lead with scores from Baker, Brogan and Jane Neill staking them to a 17-0 advantage.Quick-fire tries from debutant Siobahn Sheerin and captain India Daley in the five minutes before half-time brought Ulster back to within just three, but they were dealt a further blow before the turn as Brogan grabbed her second just prior to the break.In the second half, Jade Gaffney and Sophie Barrett traded scores to leave Leinster just six points ahead going into the final half an hour, but a yellow card for Brenda Barr curtailed the visitors' challenge. Baker would score her second soon after while Ulster were a player down, before Brogan completed her hat-trick in the final minute to provide additional gloss to the scoreline.
Leinster: McCormack; Brogan, Baker, Martin, Boylan; Caughey, Gaffney; Moore, Callan, Layde, Ni Chonchobhair, Jordan, Short, Boyne (capt), Neill.Replacements: Keegan, Burke, Dunne, Searle, Kelly, McConnell, O'Sullivan-Sexton, Corrigan.Ulster: Marley; Thompson, Sheerin, O'Neill, Smyth; Farrell McCabe, Boyce; Roberts, Clenaghan, Barrett, Darley, Barr, Starrett, Hetherington, Daley (capt).Replacements: Simpson, McLean, Fannin, Beacom, Hill, McIlroy, McCormill, Sloan.
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