Leinster dominate Ulster
Women’s Interprovincial Championship
Leinster 17
Ulster 0
Daire Walsh
Leinster’s bid to reclaim the Women’s Interprovincial Championship began with a convincing victory over Ulster at Stradbrook last night.
With former Highfield scrum-half Ellen Murphy impressing alongside Nikki Caughey, the Blues – dethroned by Munster in last year’s competition – opened the scoring on 19 minutes.
An excellent team move ended with flanker Juliet Short touching down for an unconverted try. Ulster dominated possession for the remainder of the half, but Leinster held firm to bring a 5-0 cushion into the break.
The outstanding Short enhanced her reputation with a superb all-round display. The Railway Union star finished off a 47th-minute driving maul.
Despite the best efforts of Ireland internationals Claire McLaughlin and Larissa Muldoon for the visitors, Leinster placed the outcome beyond doubt with a third try from Lauren Farrell McCabe.
Scorers for Leinster: J Short 2 tries, LF McCabe try, N Caughey con.
LEINSTER: LF McCabe; G Matthews, M Claffey, S Naoupu, E O’Byrne; N Caughey, E Murphy; L Peat, E Hooban, K O’Dwyer; A McDermott, M Kendall; J Deacon, J Short, H O’Connor.
Replacements: AM Rooney, C Haney, L Djougang, M Holohan, N Purdom, N Griffin, N Carroll, R Lawless.
ULSTER: E Durkan; E Downey, M Liston, V Irwin, E Jordan; J Jackson, L Muldoon; I van Staden, N Jones, S Mac Laimhin; R Lawlor, L Maginnes; B Cregan, C McLaughlin, B McDowell.
Replacements: M Gormley-McLaughlin, A O’Connell, S Heapes, K Brady, K Hannah, P McAlister, D Ramsey.
Referee: E O’Shea (IRFU).