Connacht come up short in opening round of inter-pros

Connacht 12

Leinster 17

CONNACHT’S senior women’s side got their interpro campaign off to a disappointing start when a late try from Michelle Claffey sealed the win for the defending champions at the Sportsground last Saturday.

It was the second of two tries from the Offaly woman, and it was the score that put the visitors into the lead for the first time in the game, a lead they held until the final whistle despite a desperate late push by the home side.

Ross Mannion’s side flew out of the blocks and took a seventh minute lead when Meadbh Scally squeezed over after good work by the pack, and the flanker executing a perfect pick-and-go for a try which Nicole Fowley converted for a 7-0 lead.

Leinster responded well, though their cause was helped with a yellow card for Connacht captain, Mary Healy in the 17th minute, and they made the most of their numerical advantage six minutes later.

The Connacht defence did well to hold up Ali Coleman over the line, but from the resulting 22 drop-out, Grace Miller and Jennie Murphy combined to send Jennie Finlay away on the outside for an unconverted try.

Healy atoned for her yellow card when playing a big part in extending her side’s lead in the 33rd minute, collecting Fiona Scally’s pop from a lineout to drill a pass to centre Shannon Touhey to crossed for an unconverted try.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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