Griggs wants greater focus on interpros as Leinster win title
Leinster 21
Munster 12
Women’s Rugby Interprovincial Series
Daire Walsh
Donnybrook
Following his side’s gutsy title-securing victory over Munster at Donnybrook on Saturday, Leinster coach Adam Griggs called for a greater focus to be placed on the women’s interprovincial series.
The Blues overcame the 51st-minute dismissal of Ireland’s Jenny Murphy to claim the spoils in a winner-takes-all encounter, and Griggs believes the interpros can play a vital role in the future development of the Ireland Women’s side.
“I would like to see some more focus on the interpros, because when we got the Irish girls back from camp and the autumn internationals, they added something to not just the squad, but the players that were there,” Griggs remarked.
“The way they’ve come out and played the last two weeks is just a credit to them. It can only make Irish rugby better if these girls are playing each other more, with higher level of competition. I really do believe we should be focusing on that.”
Leinster broke the deadlock in the 18th-minute when Murphy drove over via a neat Hannah Tyrrell off-load. Indeed, thanks to a converted score by her centre partner Michelle Claffey on the half-hour mark, they brought a 14-0 cushion into the interval.
However, a massive break by Niamh Kavanagh eight minutes after the restart ultimately led to a try from Munster winger Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, and momentum appeared to be with the visitors after Murphy received a red-card following an altercation with Siobhan Fleming.
Yet after losing replacement Zoe Graftage to the sin-bin, Munster conceded a third try to Cliodhna Moloney.
Their tight head Leah Lyons did drive over the whitewash in the final minute, but it was Leinster who ultimately secured the silverware.
Their clinical attacking edge was a crucial factor in their success, and Munster supremo Wayne Falvey (who favours a return to September for the series) admitted afterwards that he was bitterly disappointed to lose out on the title.
“I think we started off strongly in terms of possession.
“Any time you’re in that ’22’, you need to be getting points on the board.
“I think credit to Leinster’s defence, they held out. It’s probably that we just weren’t clinical enough, especially early on, to make sure we’re getting those points on the board.
“Credit to our own girls, they came back into it there but we’re bitterly disappointed,” Falvey added.
Meanwhile, Connacht Women ended their interprovincial campaign on a high against Ulster on the same day, when they registered a commanding 39-12 win at Corinthians RFC.
Scorers for Leinster: J Murphy try, 2 cons, M Claffey try, C Moloney try each, H Tyrrell con.
Scorers for Munster: D Nic a Bhaird, L Lyons try each, E Murphy con.
LEINSTER: Maria Kenny; E Corri, J Murphy, M Claffey, K Fitzhenry; H Tyrrell, A Hughes; L Peat, J Finlay, J McMahon; ML Reilly, S Fogarty; C Morey, J Short, P Fitzpatrick.
Replacements: F O’Brien for McMahon (h-t), C Moloney for Finlay (47), Meaghan Kenny for Maria Kenny (61), N Griffin for Hughes (72), N Byrne for Corri (75).
MUNSTER: E Murphy; D Nic a Bhaird, N Kavanagh, N Scully, E Considine; C Keohane, E Murphy; F Reidy, G Bourke, L Lyons; O Buckley, A Caplice; S Fleming, C Griffin, H O’Brien.
Replacements: F Hayes for Lyons (h-t), Z Grattage for Bourke (57), E Anthony for Buckley (61), Bourke for Griffin (66-72), Lyons for Reidy, C Pearse for O’Brien (both 72), L Sheehan for Murphy (79).
Referee: D Carson (IRFU).