Munster Women Take On Leinster For Interpro Title

Highfield’s Heather O’Brien will lead the Munster Women’s side out to face Leinster on Saturday , 15th December at Ashbourne RFC in their bid to claim the 2012 Interprovincial Championship title.

Both sides have been undefeated in the interprovincial series to date as Munster set out to end Leinster’s two in a row championship hopes.

The sides last met in Cork back in the 2011 championship shootout where Leinster took home a 25-5 victory ending Munster’s five in a row title reign.

Head Coach Gary Walsh has named one change to his squad that claimed a 24-3 win over Connacht last Saturday in Musgrave Park, which sees Riona Kennedy from Tralee RFC make way for Shannon’s Kathryn Buggy in the replacements.

Speaking on behalf of the Munster Women’s squad Amanda Greensmith said “we are under no illusion of the tough challenge that we will face on Saturday, however we are confident our preparations have been going well and we have been very satisfied with our performance throughout our recent wins over Connacht and Ulster."

“We have a number of international experienced players on our side as well as many young players, some of which have come through our underage structure."

“It is always a hard fought encounter against Leinster who are also undefeated this season and we are looking forward to Saturday’s game where we will hope to regain the title."

Munster v Leinster, Saturday, 15th December, Ashbourne RFC, ko 1.30pm

Munster Women: Claire Keohane (UL Bohs); Ashling Hutchins (UL Bohs), Niamh Briggs (UL Bohs), Laura O’Mahony (Tralee), Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohs); Nicole Fitzgerald (UL Bohs), Louise Costello (UL Bohs); Fiona Hayes (UL Bohs), Chris Fanning (Highfield), Gillian Bourke (UL Bohs); Heather O’Brien Capt. (Highfield), Orlaith Buckley (Highfield); Anna Caplice (UL Bohs), Siobhan Fleming (Tralee), Joy Neville (UL Bohs). Replacements: Leah Barbour (UL Bohs), Kathryn Buggy (Shannon), Laura Guest (Highfield), Karen Casey (Highfield), Ciara Griffin (Tralee), Clara Bracken (Highfield), Nicola Scully (Highfield).

Leinster Women: Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock), Aoife Tyrrell (Blackrock), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere), Shannon Houston (Blackrock), Elise O’Byrne-White (Old Belvedere); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere), Charlene Barter (U.L.Bohs); Fiona Coghlan (U.L.Bohs), Finnoula Gleeson (Old Belvedere), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere); Orla Fitzsimons (St.Mary’s), Marie-Louise Reilly, Capt., (Old Belvedere), Sharon Lynch (Garda), Aoife Ryan (Old Belvedere), Paula Fitzpatrick (St.Mary’s). Replacements: Deirdre O’Brien (U.L.Bohs), Roisin O’Donnell (Old Belvedere), Emer McManamly (Blackrock), Anne-Marie Rooney (St.Mary’s), Carmela Morey (Cill Dara), Sarah-Jane Cody (U.L.Bohs), Kim Flood (Railway Union).

Road To The Decider

Sunday, 2nd December 2012
Ulster 10, Munster 36, Queens University
Leinster 20, Connacht 0, Sportsground

Saturday, 8th December 2012
Munster 24, Connacht 3, Musgrave Park
Leinster 24, Ulster 20, Ashbourne RFC

Saturday, 15th December 2012
Leinster v Munster, Ashbourne RFC