Munster switch focus to Leinster interpro clash after victory over Ulster

MUNSTER have switched their focus to a crucial meeting with Leinster in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship this Saturday at Virgin Media Park, 4.45pm, following their opening round win.

Alana McInerney’s first half hat-trick of tries helped Munster secure an exciting 29-22 victory over Ulster in their Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship fixture at the Cork venue on Saturday afternoon last.

Adding to McInerney’s trio of scores, Munster captain Chloe Pearse also crossed before half-time, and a superb solo effort from Chisom Ugwueru steered them to an eventual 29-22 bonus point win in Cork.

However, on a day when new skipper Kathryn Dane made her inspirational return to the pitch and eight players made their Ulster debuts, Murray Houston’s young squad emerged with a lot of credit.

They finished the stronger outfit thanks to closing tries from newcomer Lucy Thompson and Brittany Hogan, and can take a lot of positives from the game.

SCORERS: MUNSTER: Tries: Alana McInerney (3), Chloe Pearse, Chisom Ugwueru. Cons: Kate Flannery (2). ULSTER: Tries: Tara O'Neill, India Daley, Lucy Thompson, Brittany Hogan. Cons: Vicky Irwin (1)

MUNSTER: Maggie Boylan (Blackrock College RFC); Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC), Stephanie Nunan (UL Bohemian RFC), Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC), Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC); Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC), Muirne Wall (UL Bohemian RFC); Siobhan McCarthy (Gloucester-Hartpury), Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC), Éilis Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC), Clodagh O’Halloran (UL Bohemian RFC) Claire Bennett (UL Bohemian RFC), Brianna Heylmann (UL Bohemian RFC), Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC), Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian RFC) (capt). Replacements used: Abbie Salter-Townshend (UL Bohemian RFC) for Wall (31 mins), Michelle O’Driscoll (Ballincollig RFC) for McInerney (39), Lucia Linn (Loughborough Lightning) for Boylan (46), Ciara McLoughlin (UL Bohemian RFC) for Cahill, Aoibhe O’Flynn (UL Bohemian RFC) for O’Halloran (both 56), Ciara O’Dwyer (UL Bohemian RFC) for McCarthy, Annakate Cournane (Shannon RFC) for Clohessy (both 67), Emma Dunican (Tralee RFC) for Buttimer (80).

ULSTER: Lauren Farrell-McCabe; Sophie Meeke, Peita McAlister, Tara O'Neill, Lauren Patterson; Vicky Irwin, Kathryn Dane (capt); Gemma McCamley, India Daley, Sophie Barrett; Brenda Barr, Fiona Tuite; Moya Hill, Christy Hill, Brittany Hogan.
Replacements: Maebh Clenaghan, Bronach Cassidy (for McCamley, 40), Megan Brodie (for C Hill, 40-50, for Barrett, 50-58), Cara O'Kane (for Tuite, 49), Stacey Sloan (for M Hill, 62), Rachael McIlroy (for Dane, 62), Paige Smith (for Patterson, 62), Lucy Thompson (for Farrell-McCabe, 43).

REFEREE: Cathal Roddy (IRFU)