Leah Tarpey leads Leinster to glory over Munster

Leinster 33-14 Munster

Two-try centre Leah Tarpey starred as three unanswered second-half tries gave Leinster a runaway 33-14 final win over Munster and their first Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship crown since 2019.

Tarpey touched down either side of half-time in the Musgrave Park decider, before experienced duo Hannah O'Connor, the captain, and Elise O'Byrne-White, on her 27th appearance in blue, made it a five-try triumph in the end.

Deirbhile Nic a Bháird was at her inspirational best for three-in-a-row hopefuls Munster, darting over for an opening 15th-minute try before helping to set up Chloe Pearse's effort that had the hosts back in front.

However, Leinster squared things up at 14-all for half-time with a timely Tarpey score which supplemented the penalty try which had seen Munster prop Róisín Ormond yellow carded.

Having beaten their arch rivals 26-19 in Donnybrook last week to reach the final, Tania Rosser's charges struck again through Tarpey, the Vodafone player-of-the-match, and fellow Ireland international Dannah O'Brien began to exert more control from out-half.

Leinster hammered home their dominance in the scrum for O'Connor to score from the base in the 63rd minute, and replacement O'Byrne-White finished off a Natasja Behan break to confirm title number six for her province.

It was only Munster's second defeat in 11 Interprovincial matches, but despite the home support, they fell short against a Leinster side that, having being stung by Connacht in the first round, saved their best for last.

Head coach Rosser had given nine debuts in this season's tournament, and only O'Byrne-White, Sene Taiti-Fanene, Ailsa Hughes, Linda Djougang, O'Connor and Christy Haney remain from Leinster's matchday squad