Report | Munster Book Final Place After Comprehensive Connacht Win

Connacht 12 – 47 Munster

It was another comprehensive win for Matt Brown’s Women’s side in Galway this afternoon as they defeated the Western Giants, 12-47, in the third round of the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship.

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.

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 5-21 at the break.

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 5-35 with 30 minutes still left to play.

McInerney completed her hattrick 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.

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 in the 62nd minute 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 12-47, cementing their spot in next week’s final.

Hattrick hero, Alana McInerney, was named player of the match.

Munster: Aoife Corey; Alana McInerney, Lucia Linn, Enya Breen, Chisom Ugwueru; Caitríona Finn, Emily; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Alisha Flynn; Aoibhe O’Flynn, Jane Clohessy; Clodagh O’Halloran, Sally Kelly; Grace Moore.

Replacements: Emma Dunican, Caoimhe Murphy, Ella Buckley, Niamh O’Mahony, Ava O’Malley, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Kate Flannery, Katie Corrigan.

Connacht: Clara Barrett; Clare Gorman, Anna McGann, Lyndsay Clarke, Emily Foley; Meabh Deely, Aoibheann Reilly; Ella Burns, Uillian Eilian, Lily Morris; Faith Oviawe, Poppy Garvey; Emma Kelly, Ailish Quinn; Jemima Adams Verling.

Replacements: Jess Keating, Éabha O’Mahoney, Hannah Coen, Emma Fabby, Sarah Purcell, Aoife Heaney, Hannah Johnston, Siofra Hession.