Second Half surge seals Interprovincial Crown for Munster Women

AN excellent second half showing brought the first Womenโ€™s Interprovincial title to Munster in four years.

With Ireland players occupied with preparation for the start of the Rugby World Cup qualifying tournament, this seasonโ€™s Interpros were played without the international players.

The hosts, Leinster led 7-5 at half time, vying for their third Interpro in a row. The had been leading by seven, following a 16th minute Lisa Callan try and Jenny Murphy conversion.

The Munster team that arrived on the pitch in the second half had a win in their sights.

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Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Just after the hour mark, Pearse got her second try to put Munster in the lead as Cronin was successful with the conversion to make it 12-7.

Deirdre Nic a Bhaird confirmed a Munster victory just as the game entered the final five minutes with a converted try.

A modest Chloe Pearse was awared player of the match as she said afterwards: โ€œIf Iโ€™m scoring the tries, thereโ€™s 14 other people that put me in a good position to do so. Theyโ€™ve done the hard yards, all Iโ€™m doing is dotting it down.

โ€œI donโ€™t care if I donโ€™t score any, as long as we win the Interpros, to be honest with you. Winning this (player-of-the-match) award is nothing compared to winning that (trophy) over there.

โ€œIโ€™m disappointed not to be in Italy (with the national squad), but Iโ€™m at home here in a red jersey. The girls welcomed me back with open arms.

โ€œAnd right now this is where I needed to be and this is what was made for me, and Iโ€™m delighted to be here.โ€

Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Captain Sarah Quin lifted the trophy as Munster ended up winning on a scoreline of 19-7.

โ€œIt feels unbelievable. We waited three years for this. We just wanted it so much. As I said, it was three years in the making.

Thereโ€™s a lot of us that felt pain in 2018 and 2019 (losing to Leinster). And we just didnโ€™t want to lose again, so it was just about that drive.โ€

Elsewhere, Connacht secured third place in the table on three points, one clear of Ulster after both sides drew 12-12.

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