Munster 9 Connacht 7, Tralee RFC
Leinster 27 Ulster 6, Ashbourne RFC
There was ecstasy for Munster and agony for Connacht as the Women’s interprovincial series concluded in dramatic fashion at the weekend.
The final act of the game, a penalty from outside centre Ger Rea secured the title for Munster on home ground in Tralee RFC.
The Westerners looked as if they could be named interprovincial champions after opening the scoring after 14 minutes with a try from winger Jill Draper. Clare Rafferty converted from a tricky angle.
These were the first and only points Munster conceded throughout the entire series. In the second half the momentum began to shift in the hosts’ favour. Rea’s success from the tee at 45 minutes closed the gap to four points.
As Munster went on the offensive they had a number of chances. Openside flanker Ciara Griffin was forced into touch just short of the try line and then Ireland international prop Fiona Hayes was held up.
Fullback Mairéad Kelly managed to touch down for the hosts but her effort was disallowed. However, referee Helen O’Reilly awarded Munster a penalty and Rea managed to reduce the hosts’ deficit to a single point.
The match rhythm was somewhat broken when play was stopped due to an unfortunate injury sustained by Connacht’s try scorer Draper. The Tullamore player was stretchered from the field with a suspected broken leg.
Rea missed a penalty kick late in the game. It then seemed the visitors would edge past. However, the Highfield woman was handed another chance to claim victory at the death.
One family will be both celebrating and commiserating the result as Munster’s out half Laura O’Mahony played against sister Emer, who was on Connacht’s left wing.
In Ashbourne, Ulster fell to a third consecutive defeat against a classy Leinster who finished their inter-provincial campaign in second place.
Inside centre Kim Flood opened the scoring for the hosts with a try after five minutes. Ulster’s out half Jemma Jackson closed the gap with a penalty ten minutes later.
Some impressive back play from Leinster led to Janice Daly dotting down on the 20-minute mark. Despite the visitors showing endeavour immediately after the interval with another penalty from Jackson, Leinster then switched into another gear that saw them close the game out comfortably with tries from openside Mairéad Holohan and lock Ciara Cooney.