CONNACHT 12-17 LEINSTER
Vicky Elmes Kinlan's 68th-minute try split the sides at Dexcom Stadium where three-in-a-row hopefuls Leinster beat Connacht 17-12 to qualify for next Saturday’s Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship final.
Connacht were the better team for the opening hour, twice taking the lead in their bid to reach a first Interpro decider since 2019. Despite a terrific player-of-the-match performance from their captain Éabha Nic Dhonnacha, it was not to be.
Skipper Molly Boyne was the only starter from the 2024 final in this Leinster team, but Ben Martin’s charges held their nerve to secure second place and set up a rematch with Munster at Energia Park next weekend.
Beaten 33-22 by their arch rivals last week, the title holders trailed Connacht 12-5 at half-time after two fantastic finishes from Orla Dixon and Faith Oviawe had sandwiched Kelly Burke’s maul score.
The hosts had enough possession to add to their tally, yet a resilient Leinster, with their bench having a big influence, drew level through replacement Katie Layde.
Elmes Kinlan then scored for the second week running, giving her side a chance to retain the trophy back at home.
This was one of Leinster’s hardest fought victories in recent seasons, especially given their absentees due to Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign, and a reliance on emerging young talent in Martin’s first season as head coach.
Connacht, who came into the third round just two points behind their opponents in the table, are missing some notable names too, including those on the injury list, and went agonisingly close to defeating Leinster for only the third time at this level.
ULSTER 17-38 MUNSTER
Already assured of their place in the final, Munster pulled away from Ulster in the second half to complete a clean sweep of bonus point wins in the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship's group stage.
Captain Maeve Óg O'Leary scored two tries and delivered a player-of-the-match performance in Belfast, as Munster's 38-17 triumph tees them up nicely for next Saturday's decider against defending champions Leinster at Energia Park.
The finals day will see Matt Brown's side, who were 33-22 winners away to Leinster last week, try to regain the Interpro trophy for the first time since January 2023. Ulster will face Connacht in the 3rd-4th place play-off in Donnybrook.
Ciara Fitzsimons marked her Ulster debut with two tries before half-time, closing the gap to 19-17 after Chloe Pearse, Chisom Ugwueru, and Caitríona Finn had touched down for the unbeaten table toppers.
Clogher Valley's Siobhán Sheerin also made it over the whitewash, taking her Championship tally to 25 points, but Munster clinically tagged on three more scores through O'Leary (44 and 59 minutes) and Alana McInerney (54).
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