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Women's Rugby

Hayes helps Munster whitewash Ulster, Leinster sting Connacht late

Here’s how the provinces fared on the return of the women’s inter-pro series.

Connacht 8

Leinster 15

IT WAS A case of 13 being a lucky number for defending Women’s interprovincial
champions Leinster as 13 players made their debut in their win against Connacht.
Due to the IRFU’s player welfare scheme, many stars of Ireland’s Women’s Rugby
World Cup campaign have been rested across all four provinces.

Vikki McGinn Vikki McGinn impressed with limited chances at the World Cup Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Another high-profile absentee from the Leinster ranks at Galway’s Crowley Park was
the recently retired former Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan.
It was the women from the West, who got off to a bright start with winger Niamh
Ní Dhorma dotting down after 16 minutes. Despite Leinster only venturing into the
Connacht half three times in the first forty minutes, the visitor’s stream of five lineout
steals from the hosts showed class.
Leinster levelled the score to five all ten minutes into the second half with a try from
captain Anne-Marie Rooney.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, Connacht retook the lead via a penalty from the
boot of Nicole Fowley.
Five minutes later Connacht went a woman down when prop Laura Feely received
a yellow card. Leinster used this to their advantage with Old Belvedere centre Elise
O’Byrne-White scoring a try to put them ahead for the first time.
Fullback Vikki McGinn showed her international credentials scoring a match-sealing
try just three minutes from the final whistle.

Ulster 0

Munster 22 

In the Kingspan Stadium, Ulster’s Women endured a difficult afternoon as a Munster
side infused with both youth and experience ran out 22-0 winners.
Ireland international prop Fiona Hayes crashed over the first try, converted by Ger
Rea. With Ulster’s hooker Lesley Megarity sin binned, the visitors’ dominance
continued. A try from wing Ashling Hutchings put Munster 12 points to the good
after 15 minutes.

Fiona Hayes celebrates her try 17/9/2011 File photo of Fiona Hayes. James Crombie James Crombie

Winger Deribhile Nic A Bhaird made her Munster debut a memorable one with a try
on the half-hour mark.
On the stroke of half time Ulster’s Jemma Jackson had a chance to claim back three
points but her kick drifted to the left.
Munster’s fourth try came early in the second half thanks to lock Gerda Coyne,
another debutant.
Ulster’s young side grew into the game in the final quarter. During this spell Munster
replacement Mollie O’Donnell was yellow carded but despite much endeavour the
hosts were unable to foil the Munster defence.

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