In their sole home fixture of the series, Ulster started brightly, showing confidence with ball in hand and early attacking intent. After Munster opened the scoring through No. 8 Chloe Pearse, converted by Caitríona Finn, Ulster responded in style. A powerful carry from Sophie Barrett and Aishling O’Connell set up a flowing move finished by Siobhán Sheerin, her third try in three matches, which she converted to level the game at 7–7.
Munster replied quickly, with Chisom Ugwueru showing her pace down the left wing, before captain Maeve Óg O’Leary created the space for Finn to cross and convert.
Undeterred, Ulster struck back with two quickfire scores from winger Ciara Fitzsimons.
First, she finished off a well-worked lineout move, before moments later intercepting a Munster pass on halfway and racing clear to score under the posts. Her brace left Ulster trailing by just two points at half-time, 19–17, after a thrilling opening forty minutes.
Munster began the second period strongly and quickly reasserted control.
Captain Óg O’Leary crossed within minutes of the restart, before Alana McInerney pounced on an intercept to extend the visitors’ lead.
Despite some resilient defensive efforts from Stacey Sloan and a try-saving tackle from Sophie Barrett, Munster continued to pile on pressure.
Óg O’Leary added her second try whilst earning player of the match, and with Finn accurate from the tee, the visitors stretched clear.
Ulster, cheered on by their home support, fought until the final whistle.
Debutants Farrah Cartin-McCloskey and Katie Gilmour made their first appearances from the bench, while Fitzsimons continued to shine in both attack and defence, producing a stunning cover tackle on Munster full-back Aoife Corey late on.
Ultimately, however, Munster’s depth and physicality told as they closed out the victory.
FT: Ulster Women 17-38 Munster Women
Scorers
Ulster:
TRY: Sheerin, Fitzsimons x2
CON: Sheerin
Munster:
TRY: Pearse, Ugweueru, Finn, Og O'Leary 2, McInerney
CON: Finn x4
Up next
Despite defeat, Ulster can take encouragement from their attacking creativity and resilience, particularly in a first half where they matched Munster blow for blow.
With a number of young players gaining valuable experience, including several first caps, Ulster will look to build momentum heading into Finals Day next weekend.
Teams
Ulster Rugby
15 Kate Farrell-McCabe (Suttonians RFC), 14 Ciara Fitzsimons\* (Queens RFC), 13 Siobhán Sheerin (Clogher Valley RFC), 12 Kelly McCormill (Monaghan RFC), 11 Niamh Marley (Cooke RFC), 10 Abby Moyles (UL Bohemians RFC), 9 Sophie Meeke (Enniskillen RFC), 8 Stacey Sloan (Cooke RFC), 7 Rebecca Beacom (Enniskillen RFC), 6 Moya Hill (Enniskillen RFC), 5 Brenda Barr (VC) (Suttonians RFC), 4 Ellen Patterson (Queens RFC), 3 Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC), 2 India Daley (C) (Enniskillen RFC), 1 Aishling O'Connell (Monaghan RFC)
Replacements
16 Megan Simpson (Cooke RFC), 17 Bronach Cassidy (Queens RFC), 18 Sophie McAlister (Ballymena RFC), 19 Lauren Darley (Queens RFC), 20 Ciara O'Donnell\ (Enniskillen RFC), 21 Georgia Boyce (Enniskillen RFC), 22 Farrah Cartin-McCloskey\ (Enniskillen RFC), 23 Katie Gilmour\ (Cooke RFC) \denotes uncapped
Munster
15\. Aoife Corey (UL Bohemian RFC) (14), 14. Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC) (16), 13. Stephanie Nunan (UL Bohemian RFC) (17), 12. Caitríona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC) (5), 11. Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC) (10), 10. Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian RFC) (13), 9. Abbie Salter-Townshend (UL Bohemian RFC) (7), 8. Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian RFC) (35), 7. Maeve Óg O’Leary (C) (Blackrock College RFC) (13), 6. Brianna Heylmann (UL Bohemian RFC) (7), 5. Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC) (10), 4. Clodagh O’Halloran (UL Bohemian RFC) (25), 3. Eilís Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC) (14), 2. Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere RFC) (22), 1. Gráinne Burke (UL Bohemian RFC) (1)
Replacements:
16\. Alisha Flynn (Ballincollig RFC) \, 17. Ciara McLoughlin (UL Bohemian RFC) (4), 18. Claire Bennett (UL Bohemian RFC) (15), 19. Emma Dunican (Tralee RFC) (4), 20. Sally Kelly (Ennis RFC)\, 21. Eve Prendergast (Ballincollig RFC) (1), 22. Lucia Linn (UL Bohemian RFC) (4), 23. Meghan Crilly (Loughborough College)\*
\* Denotes first cap