Dannah O'Brien shines on debut as Leinster slay Connacht

Leinster 38-10 Connacht

Tullow teenager Dannah O'Brien created two tries and kicked three conversions on her Leinster debut as they beat Connacht 38-10 in the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship to give new head coach Tania Rosser a winning start.

Last season's runners-up launched their challenge for Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship honours with a bonus point triumph, but Connacht made them work for it, particularly during a scoreless opening 30 minutes at Energia Park.

A first half blighted by knock-ons came to life during the closing minutes when Ella Roberts and Anna Doyle touched down for a previously misfiring Leinster, before Connacht's Nicole Fowley landed a late penalty.

Armed with a 14-3 half-time lead, Rosser's charges made certain of the result - and maximum points - thanks to further scores from Elise O'Byrne-White, Jenny Murphy (2) and Katie Whelan.

Fowley skilfully set up Orla Dixon to open Connacht's try account, but the Blues, whose tireless 19-year-old centre Aoife Dalton was the Vodafone player-of-the-match, signed off with two late tries ahead of next week's trip to Munster.

Leinster: Ella Roberts (Wicklow RFC); Clare Gorman (Old Belvedere RFC), Aoife Dalton (Tullamore RFC/Old Belvedere RFC), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere RFC), Anna Doyle (Tullow RFC/Blackrock College RFC); Dannah O'Brien (Tullow RFC/Old Belvedere RFC), Ailsa Hughes (Tullamore RFC/Railway Union RFC); Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC), Jess Keating (Old Belvedere RFC), Christy Haney (St. Mary’s College RFC/Blackrock College RFC) (co-capt), Aoife McDermott (Railway Union RFC), Eimear Corri (Portlaoise RFC/Blackrock College RFC), Ali Coleman (Blackrock College RFC), Molly Boyne (Dublin University FC/Railway Union RFC),