Leinster And Munster To Face Off In Final
Regular rivals Leinster and Munster will meet in the IRFU Women’s Interprovincial Championship final at Donnybrook Stadium on Sunday, November 29 (kick-off 3pm). Connacht and Ulster will clash in the third-fourth place play-off at the same venue (kick-off 1pm).
Both Leinster and Munster ‘nilled’ their opposition in their third round matches, with Philip Doyle’s Leinster side running out 48-0 winners over Ulster at City of Derry RFC and Fiona Steed’s Munster charges, the defending Interpro champions, securing a 25-0 victory over Connacht at the Sportsground.
Leinster will be very determined to put one over on their old foes in the Interpro final in two weeks’ time. Notably, Munster have beaten Leinster in every competition since Steed took charge three years ago.
On a cold and blustery afternoon at the grounds of City of Derry RFC, Leinster dominated Ulster with a fine display of rugby.
From the kick-off, Leinster laid down a marker when a well-won lineout on Ulster’s 22 set up a driving maul and a pop pass to Amy Davis saw the powerful centre score close to the posts, with goal-kicking winger Nora Stapleton converting.
Further tries from full-back Jackie Shields (18 minutes), Davis again (22), number 8 Orla Brennan (32) and winger Gill Nolan (40) – all converted by Stapleton – to leave Ulster 33-0 adrift at half-time.
The second half opened with a flurry of attacks from Ulster which seemed to change the shape of their game, resulting in continuous pressure on Leinster in their own half.
But Leinster’s defence was resolute and co-captain Tania Rosser scored a magnificent try 15 minutes into the second half, the result was put beyond any doubt..
The dominance of the visitors’ pack coupled with their ability to move it out wide put pressure on the Ulster defence, resulting in further tries from Stapleton and player of the match Brennan, who contributed so much in the tight and in the loose.
RESULTS SO FAR –
Munster 46 Ulster 0, Thomond Park Stadium; Leinster 33 Connacht 8, Donnybrook Stadium
Munster 9 Leinster 6, Crosshaven RFC; Ulster 0 Connacht 12, Ravenhill
Ulster 0 Leinster 48, City of Derry; Connacht 0 Munster 25, The Sportsground
FIXTURES TO COME –
Women’s Interprovincial Finals, Donnybrook, Sunday, November 29 (Final: Leinster v Munster, 3pm; 3rd-4th Play-Off: Connacht v Ulster, 1pm)
Related Links –
Women’s Interpro Round-Up – Week 1
Women’s Interpro Round-Up – Week 2