MUNSTER 7-27 LEINSTER
Leinster produced their best performance of the season to beat Munster and retain their Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship title.
Having lost to their rivals in the round-robin phase, Tania Rosser’s side played like they were desperate to make amends in the final in Belfast and took a fully deserved 27-7 victory, inspired by Aoife Wafer and player of the match Leah Tarpey.
Nikki Caughey (7) and Dannah O’Brien (5) chipped in with points off the tee and Munster’s only score came from a superb early Alana McInerney try, which was converted by Kate Flannery.
"Everything that we’ve been building over the last couple of months really stood to us," captain Molly Boyne told TG4.
"That last 30 minutes was everything we’ve been working hard for. The girls did a fantastic job, so we’re delighted."
Munster, who completed a clean sweep in the regular season, struggled at the set-piece and discipline became an issue as the game progressed.
It was Fiona Hayes’ side who had the better of the early exchanges, but hooker Beth Buttimer was held up over the line when they looked favourites to open the scoring.
But they were ahead on the 12th minute when McInerney scored another of her by now trademark tries.
Called up to the Ireland squad after scoring six tries during the round-robin phase, the Clare woman took possession on her wing on the halfway line.
She looked well covered but sped away from three defenders to score under the posts, with Kate Flannery adding the conversion.
However, that was as good as it was to get for the Reds.
It was turning into a fantastic physical battle when Leinster got back on level terms in the 24th minute.
A Caughey high ball fell into the path of Tarpey (below) on the halfway line and the centre didn't need a second invitation, racing away to touch down under the posts.
That was the signal for Wafer to be introduced and the Ireland back row immediately lifted the pace.
Boosted by the powerful running of Linda Djougang, Leinster were on the front foot and were held up over the line before Caughey kicked then into the lead with a penalty.
An Emma Tilly break following another strong scrum brought play into the Munster 22 and when the ball was recycled Wafer was in place to power over despite the attention of two tacklers.
Just 17-7 down at the break, Munster were still in the game and may have felt hard done by a marginal call that went against Dorothy Wall eight minutes into the second half.
The referee awarded a try when the lock powered over after a long maul but the TMO interjected to say that there was no grounding and the score was disallowed.
Leinster cleared their lines and five minutes later, O’Brien, making her first appearance of the season, fired over a penalty to extend their lead.
Munster began to tire and Leinster could smell the blood in the water.
The lively Aoife Dalton broke the line and she had partner Tarpey, also player of the match in last year’s final, in support with the centre running in from just outside the 22.
That was the game, and with Munster having to go from deep, Leinster were able to dictate the play and kept on top until the final whistle.
"The girls really put in a great shift," said Tarpey.
"We knew that it was going to be hard. Munster are never easy. We knew coming up here we had a job to do and I feel like we did that.
"We executed everything like we said we would and I’m really proud of the girls, and proud we could do that for our captain Hannah (O’Connor) who missed out (through injury)."
Munster scorers - Tries: Alana McInerney
Cons: Kate Flannery
Leinster scorers - Tries: Leah Tarpey (2) Aoife Wafer
Cons: Nikki Caughey (2) Dannah O'Brien
Pens: Nikky Caughey, Dannah O'Brien
Munster: Aoife Corey; Chisom Ugwueru, Stephanie Nunan, Enya Breen, Alana McInerney; Kate Flannery, Muirne Wall; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Éilis Cahill; Dorothy Wall, Claire Bennett; Clodagh O'Halloran, Jane Clohessy, Chloe Pearse (capt).
Replacements: Brianna Heylmann for Clohessy (21 mins), Caitriona Finn for Flannery (56), Lucia Linn for Nunan, Eimear Considine for Corey (both 59), Aoibheann McGrath for Bennett, Ciara McLoughlin for Cahill (both 63), Aoibhe O'Flynn for Pearse, Ciara O’Dwyer for Buttimer (both 69).
Leinster: Robyn O'Connor; Emma Tilly, Aoife Dalton, Leah Tarpey, Ella Roberts; Nikki Caughey, Jade Gaffney; Linda Djougang, Sarah Delaney, Christy Haney; Ruth Campbell, Eimear Corri; Jane Neill, Molly Boyne (capt), Caoimhe Molloy.
Replacements: Aoife Wafer for Neill (25 mins), Niamh O'Dowd for Haney (34), Dannah O’Brien for Caughey (46), Neill for Corri (57), Ailsa Hughes for Gaffney, Jemma Farrell for O’Brien, Aoife Moore for Wafer, Anna Doyle for Tilly (all 75), Kelly Burke for Delaney, Haney for Molloy (both 77).
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