Munster made it back-to-back bonus-point victories in this season’s Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship after Niamh Briggs’ side ran in eight tries to secure a 46-7 win over Connacht in Musgrave Park.
First half tries from Maeve Óg O’Leary, Dorothy Wall, Vodafone Player of the Match Deirbhile Nic a Bháird and Kate Flannery ensured the bonus point was secured before half-time.
In the second-half, Munster continued their dominance as Nic a Bháird, Alana McInerney, Aoife Doyle and Fiona Reidy all crossed to secure a comprehensive win.
Connacht started well with some sustained periods of pressure in the Munster 22 but a lineout steal from Clodagh O’Halloran and a breakdown turnover from Deirbhile Nic a Bháird allowed Niamh Briggs’ side to clear their lines without conceding any tries.
Munster got on the board soon after when some good play between backs and forwards got Munster close to the Connacht line where Maeve Óg O’Leary was on hand to crash over from close range. Kate Flannery’s conversion ensured an early 7-0 lead.
Connacht hit back soon after when a chip over the top of the Munster defence bounced off the post pads and into the hands of Clara Barrett who scored under the posts. Nicole Fowley’s conversion levelled the game.
That minor setback didn’t last long as Dorothy Wall got Munster back into the lead with a powerful finish which Flannery converted to give Munster a 14-7 lead.
Munster extended their advantage when some nice interplay between Chloe Pearse and Stephanie Nunan got Munster on the front foot. Nic a Bháird was on hand on the next phase to glide through a gap and score Munster’s third try which went unconverted by Flannery.
Munster continued to apply the pressure before a superb break from prop Roisín Ormond saw the Ballincollig RFC clubwoman sprint clear from her own half where she was halted just short of the Connacht line.
Munster won a penalty for a deliberate knock on and it was Flannery who reacted quickest as she took a quick-tap and crossed for the bonus-point try. The out-half wasn’t able to convert her own try as Munster went into the half-time break with a 24-7 lead.
Munster maintained possession and territory in the second half and they extended their lead when Nic a Bháird collected the ball off the tail of a Munster lineout and powered through the Connacht defence to score Munster’s fifth try. Flannery landed the conversion to give Munster a 31-7 lead.
Munster’s sixth try came soon after. Some good build-up play created an over lap and Munster put the ball through the hands where Alana McInerney was on hand to cross in the corner to extend Munster’s lead to 36-7.
The seventh try came thanks to some good build-up play from Jane Clohessy. The back-row, daughter of Munster legend Peter Clohessy, powered through the Connacht defence before the ball went through the hands which saw Aoife Doyle cross for a try. Munster’s final try came when McInerney was tackled just short of the line and Fiona Reidy was on hand to pick and go from close-range to secure a 46-7 win for Munster.
Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Round 2 Round-Up
Deirbhile Nic a Bháird was awarded the Vodafone Player of the Match.
Beth Buttimer, who turned 18 on Friday, made her senior Munster debut this afternoon.
Eimear Considine made her first start for Munster since September 2019.
Munster are now top of the Intepro table on 10 points.
Munster are now guaranteed to play in the final on September 2nd thanks to the two bonus-point victories achieved so far.
Munster travel to Dublin to take on Leinster next Saturday in Round 3.
