Ulster entertained Munster at City of Armagh Rugby Club on Saturday afternoon for their opening fixture in the 2023 Women’s Interprovincial Series.
Unfortunately, it was the same old story for Ulster who are in danger of going 13 season’s without a win in this competition.
Ulster had a pretty shaky start, an early fumble from Ella Durkan gifting Steph Carroll a score for the visitors to take a 0 – 5 lead in the opening minutes.
To their credit Ulster regrouped pretty well and Durkan found redemption getting on the end of a cross field kick from Maeve Liston to dot down for the equalising try, which she converted to give Ulster a 7 – 5 lead.
However Munster got back on top with a second try from Carroll before Clodagh O’Halloran crossed for a try, converted by Kate Flannery, to give Munster a 7 – 17 lead as the teams changed ends.
Munster wrapped up the bonus point try early in the second half as Roisin Ormond finished off a quick tap and go, converted by Flannery, before Ulster hit back with a try from Meabh Clenaghan, converted by Durkin, to take the score to 14 – 24.
A fantastic run from under her own posts by Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird was fished off by Ellen Boylan before Carroll completed her hat trick to put the game beyond doubt as the score rattled along to 14 – 34 in the visitors favour.
Replacement Brianna Heylmann added some icing to the defending champion’s cake with a late score, converted by Flannery, to give a final score of Ulster 14 Munster 41.
Ulster’s next match is away to Leinster on 19th August where they play a double header at Energia Park alongside the Ulster U18 Girls team who start their Interpro journey next weekend.
Ulster: Maeve Liston, Niamh Marley, Kelly McCormill, Ella Durkan, Megan Edwards, Abby Moyles, Laura Cairns, Sadhbh McGrath, Beth Cregan (C), Gemma McCamley, Fiona Tuite, Keelin Brady, Chloe Donnan, Maebh Clenaghan, Sophie Barrett. Replacements: Sarah Roberts, Aishling O’Connell, Taryn Schutzler, Brenda Barr, Amber Redmond, Peita McAlister, Toni MacCartney, Stacey Sloan.
Munster: Aoife Corey, Aoife Doyle, Alana McInerney, Stephanie Nunan, Stephanie Carroll, Kate Flannery, Muirne Wall; Roisin Ormond, Ciara Farrell, Fiona Reidy, Gillian Coombes, Clodagh O’Halloran, Dorothy Wall (C), Maeve Óg O’Leary, Chloe Pearse. Replacements: Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, Eilis Cahill, Claire Bennett, Brianna Heylmann, Jane Clohessy, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Aoife O’Shaughnessy, Ellen Boylan.
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