Munster make it three from three with Connacht victory

Connacht 24-29 Munster

Munster completed a clean sweep in the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship as they saw off Connacht 29-24 in the Dexcom Stadium.

Already qualified for next weekend’s final against the winner of Leinster and Ulster, Munster were in control for most of the contest in Galway.

A brace of tries from breakout player of the tournament Alana McInerney, as well as fine scores from Chloe Pearse, Chisom Ugwueru and Bett Buttimer secured the points for Fiona Hayes’ side, with Kate Flannery kicking two conversions.

Outplayed for large spells, Connacht got a foothold with a late first-half score from Faith Oviawe, while late tries from Edel McMahon and a brace from Orla Dixon secured two losing bonus points for the Westerners.

Playing with the breeze in Galway, Munster got off to the perfect start, scoring twice in the opening six minutes.

Flannery’s kick put Ava Ryder under pressure and when the Connacht wing conceded a penalty under pressure from McInerney, Munster didn’t hang about.

A few phases later, Pearse spotted a gap at a ruck and punched her way over, with Flannery adding the extras.

Ugwueru looked unplayable at times in the first half, and she was on hand to score the second after Flannery’s pass sent McInerney free in midfield. The winger brushed off opposite number Laoise McGonagle before crossing.

Connacht managed to work some territory and possession but were let down by poor play at the set-piece, with the scrum and lineouts in trouble.

After withstanding the Connacht pressure, Munster soon got on the front foot and after Connacht failed to deal with a chip over the top, the visitors stayed patient before Dorothy Wall found McInerney on the wing and the competition’s top scorer finished in the