Munster Women look ahead to Interpro decider with foes Leinster
Munster booked their place in this year’s Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship decider following a convincing 47-12 win over Connacht in Galway.
Matt Brown’s side have been flawless in this year’s campaign, with three wins on the bounce against their provincial rivals.
Brown’s side got off the mark in this year’s Interprovincial Championship with a comfortable win over final opponents Leinster in the opening round.
Tries from Beth Buttimer (4), Alana McInerney, Eilís Cahill and Katie Corrigan saw Munster secure a precious opening round win over their old foes in Round 1 at Virgin Media Park in Cork.
Munster continued their fine form in Round 2 when they booked their place in this year’s Interpro decider with one game to spare.
Brown’s charges took on Ulster in Cork and blew the visitors away in a 10-try performance whilst also remaining solid defensively in a 62-0 win.
Munster then had to face Connacht in Galway in Round 3 with a final berth already booked.
Brown’s side put in another convincing performance that saw Alana McInerney cross for a hat-trick of tries in the 35-point win.
It was Connacht who struck the first blow of the game through Uillian Eilian as she crashed over in the third minute.
But this didn’t deter the visitors as Alana McInerney intercepted a wayward pass and ran in under the sticks just two minutes later. Caitriona Finn added the extras to put the side in front for the first time.
Alisha Flynn was next to be rewarded for her carrying as she barreled over the line in the 24th minute with Finn converting once again.
Finn got herself involved in the action just before the half as she sold two dummy passes before running in under the posts. The out-half also converted her own score to bring the score to 21-5 in Munster’s favour at half time.
A cross field kick from Caitriona Finn in the 42nd minute of play sent McInerney in for her second try of the afternoon with Finn once again adding the extras.
The 50th minute saw Alisha Flynn also earn her second try of the day as she drove her way across the whitewash. Finn nailed the conversion to bring the score to 35-5 with 30 minutes still left to play.
McInerney completed her hat-trick just five minutes later as she put her foot on the gas to sprint down the sideline and touch down just right of the posts and in doing so sealed her Player of the Match award after what was a scintillating performance.
Munster were penalised in the 57th minute as they were reduced to 14 players with Siobhan McCarthy being sent to the bin.
Connacht got themselves back on the board again soon after as Jemima Adams Verling spotted space and touched down.
Abbie Salter-Townshend lodged the sides final response of the game as the scrumhalf spotted a gap and picked and went from the bottom of the ruck before touching down under the posts. Finn converted to bring the final score to 47-12, cementing Munster’s spot in this week’s final.
Leinster, beaten 50-15 in last year’s final by Munster, confirmed their place in the decider with an impressive 75-5 win at Affidea Stadium against an Ulster side who have endured a torrid Interpro Championship campaign.
Sana Govender’s Leinster side will be looking to avenge last year’s heavy final loss when they meet their Munster counterparts at the Dexcom Stadium this weekend.
They will also be looking to right the wrongs from the pair’s opening group game in this year’s championship, where Munster cruised to a 39-19 win.
Kick-off at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway is at 4.30pm on Saturday evening.