Connacht claim famous one point win over Leinster

Connacht threw the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship title race wide open with an epic 18-17 win over a much-fancied Leinster at the Sportsground. Ireland international Méabh Deely gleefully scored the all-important 81st-minute try, but Connacht still had to endure eight more minutes - including a penalty miss from Leinster captain Hannah O'Connor - before being confirmed as winners of this six-try thriller. Connacht's only previous Interpro victory over Leinster was an 8-5 triumph at Tuam RFC back in December 2016, and this result gives Lyndon Jones' charges a real shot at making September's final. The first round clash exploded into life with a Deely try after just 94 seconds. A penalty from captain and Vodafone player-of-the-match Nicole Fowley had the westerners leading 8-5 at half-time. Despite the rain and wind, Leinster lock Eimear Corri showed her finishing skills with a terrific 15th-minute score. Aoife Wafer also starred for the Blues on her debut, albeit that she spent 10 minutes in the sin bin. The visitors looked to be taking control when Sene Taiti-Fanene and new cap Naoise O'Reilly both crossed during the third quarter. The home side were suddenly trailing 17-8 and with centre Clara Barrett in the sin bin. Full-back Deely, still just 22, rallied Connacht by setting up replacement Orla Dixon to score on the hour mark. Even better followed when the Ballinasloe native gathered Barrett's offload to complete her brace and decide the contest.

Following a number of retirements, this new-look Connacht team got the whirlwind start that they craved. Returning scrum half Aoibheann Reilly, who had a tremendous game, attacked off a ruck inside halfway and slipped out of Christy Haney's tackle, tearing