Hayes helps Munster whitewash Ulster, Leinster sting Connacht late

Here’s how the provinces fared on the return of the women’s inter-pro series.

Connacht 8

Leinster 15

IT WAS A case of 13 being a lucky number for defending Women’s interprovincial

champions Leinster as 13 players made their debut in their win against Connacht.

Due to the IRFU’s player welfare scheme, many stars of Ireland’s Women’s Rugby

World Cup campaign have been rested across all four provinces.

Vikki McGinn impressed with limited chances at the World Cup Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Another high-profile absentee from the Leinster ranks at Galway’s Crowley Park was

the recently retired former Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan.

It was the women from the West, who got off to a bright start with winger Niamh

Ní Dhorma dotting down after 16 minutes. Despite Leinster only venturing into the

Connacht half three times in the first forty minutes, the visitor’s stream of five lineout

steals from the hosts showed class.

Leinster levelled the score to five all ten minutes into the second half with a try from

captain Anne-Marie Rooney.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, Connacht retook the lead via a penalty from the

boot of Nicole Fowley.

Five minutes later Connacht went a woman down when prop Laura Feely received

a yellow card. Leinster used this to their advantage with Old Belvedere centre Elise

O’Byrne-White scoring a try to put them ahead for the first time.

Fullback Vikki McGinn showed her international credentials scoring a match-sealing

try just three minutes from the final whistle.

Ulster 0

Munster 22

In the Kingspan Stadium, Ulster’s Women endured a difficult afternoon as a Munster

side infused with both youth and experience ran out 22-0 winners.

Ireland international prop Fiona Hayes crashed over the first try, converted by Ger

Rea. With Ulster’s hooker Lesley Megarity sin binned, the visitors’ dominance

continued. A try from wing Ashling Hutchings put Munster 12 points to the good

after 15 minutes.

Fiona Hayes celebrates her try 17/9/2011 File photo of Fiona Hayes. James Crombie James Crombie

Winger Deribhile Nic A Bhaird made her Munster debut a memorable one with a try

on the half-hour mark.

On the stroke of half time Ulster’s Jemma Jackson had a chance to claim back three

points but her kick drifted to the left.

Munster’s fourth try came early in the second half thanks to lock Gerda Coyne,

another debutant.

Ulster’s young side grew into the game in the final quarter. During this spell Munster

replacement Mollie O’Donnell was yellow carded but despite much endeavour the

hosts were unable to foil the Munster defence.