Munster’s women achieved a spectacular 32-21 victory over Leinster last Saturday at Virgin Media Park in Cork, climbing to the top of the Women’s Interprovincial Championship table. This victory, built on Fiona Hayes’ team’s success against Ulster the previous weekend at the same location, has increased their lead over Leinster by five points ahead of the next set of matches in this series.
One of the highlights was Beth Buttimer, part of the recent Under-20 Irish team that took part in the Six Nations Summer Series in Italy. As Munster’s hooker, she scored through a lineout maul just 12 minutes in, nudging Munster into an early lead. However, Leinster remained composed, regaining control slightly past the first quarter. Ailsa Hughes seized her first try of the match in the 16th minute and then further set up Aoife Dalton for another score.
Claire Bennett’s try for Munster, despite being somewhat overshadowed by Leinster’s slightly superior kicking returns, kept Munster in the fight, leaving Leinster with a narrow 14-12 advantage at halftime. With the return of play, rapidly following Chisom Ugwueru’s second try in two matches for Munster, they secured a penalty try within 53 minutes. Leinster’s Leah Tarpey did manage a converted score, providing some hope in the game’s final minutes, but with Alana McInerney scoring her fourth try of the season at 78 minutes, a bonus point victory was confirmed for Munster.
Earlier that day, at Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium, Ulster miraculously managed a draw with Connacht, overcoming a 14-point deficit with a remarkable final-quarter performance.
Despite Meabh Deely, Connacht’s Ireland international fullback, sprinting to score a try on the 23rd minute, Abby Moyles’ penalties on either side of this gave Ulster a narrow advantage deep into the first half of the game. However, Connacht flanker Faith Oviawe, keen to make her mark following her two tries in the 38-19 loss to Leinster in the initial round, scored a converted try putting the visitors 10-6 ahead by half-time.
In the next half, Laoise McGonagle exchanged tries with Ulster winger Lucy Thompson. Connacht then established their dominance by scoring unanswered 10 points during the third-quarter. In a classic style, the remarkable Deely scored her second try of the match, added a conversion and a penalty, bringing Connacht within striking distance of their maiden victory of the season.
Yet, Ulster created an opportunity for themselves as India Daley charged under the posts to score a try at the 73rd minute. Vicky Irwin added the extras on this five-pointer, and did the same for Stacey Sloan’s strong finish just two minutes before the end, enabling the northern province to secure a hard-fought 25-25 draw.