The Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship delivered high drama and heart-stopping action this weekend as Leinster staged a remarkable comeback to secure their place in next Saturday’s final. The defending champions edged Connacht 17-12 at Dexcom Stadium in Galway, thanks to a late try from Vicky Elmes Kinlan, setting up a mouthwatering rematch with Munster at Energia Park.
It was a contest that had everything: momentum swings, emerging stars, and a finish that left fans on the edge of their seats. Leinster, bidding for a third consecutive title, found themselves in deep trouble for much of the match. Connacht, hungry for a first Interpro decider appearance since 2019, came out firing and looked the stronger side for the opening hour. The home team twice took the lead, buoyed by a passionate Galway crowd and a standout performance from their captain, Éabha Nic Dhonnacha.
The first half was a showcase of Connacht’s attacking flair and determination. Orla Dixon and Faith Oviawe both crossed the whitewash with fantastic finishes, sandwiching a maul try from Leinster’s Kelly Burke. By halftime, Connacht were deservedly in front, 12-5, and sensed a rare victory over their blue-clad rivals was within reach. Leinster, after all, had only one starter from last year’s final—skipper Molly Boyne—on the field, with Ben Martin’s side forced to rely on a crop of emerging young talent and several debutants due to player absences for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign.
“Connacht were the better team for the opening hour, twice taking the lead in their bid to reach a first Interpro decider since 2019,” reported RTÉ Sport, highlighting just how close the hosts came to pulling off a famous win. The Galway side, just two points behind Leinster in the table coming into the third round, were missing some key names themselves, including several on the injury list. Still, they pressed hard and nearly toppled the reigning champions for only the third time at this level.
But Leinster’s resilience would prove decisive. With the clock ticking and the pressure mounting, head coach Ben Martin turned to his bench for inspiration. Replacement Katie Layde provided the spark, crashing over to draw Leinster level as the match entered its final quarter. Suddenly, the momentum had shifted—could the champions pull off another great escape?
The answer came in the 68th minute. Vicky Elmes Kinlan, who had scored in last week’s clash with Munster, darted over for her second try in as many weeks. It was the moment that broke Connacht hearts and sent the visiting supporters into raptures. “Vicky Elmes Kinlan’s 68th-minute try split the sides at Dexcom Stadium where three-in-a-row hopefuls Leinster beat Connacht 17-12 to qualify for next Saturday’s Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship final,” RTÉ Sport confirmed. The try capped a remarkable comeback and underlined Leinster’s knack for delivering under pressure, even with a lineup missing several established stars.
After the final whistle, the emotion was evident on both sides. Leinster debutants Aoife Corcoran and Kara Mulcahy celebrated a famous victory, while Connacht’s players were left to rue what might have been. For all their effort and a player-of-the-match display from captain Nic Dhonnacha, the hosts fell agonisingly short of a breakthrough win. Yet, there was no doubting the pride in their performance or the progress made by the province this season.
Leinster’s head coach Ben Martin, in his first season at the helm, had every reason to be proud. This was, by all accounts, one of Leinster’s hardest-fought victories in recent years—a win built on grit, character, and the promise of the next generation. With key players away on international duty, the youngsters stepped up when it mattered most. The defending champions will now look to carry that momentum into the final, where a familiar foe awaits.
Munster, already assured of their place in the decider before Saturday’s matches, completed a clean sweep of group stage wins with a commanding 38-17 victory over Ulster in Belfast. Captain Maeve Óg O’Leary was the star of the show, bagging two tries and earning player-of-the-match honors. The Red Army’s unbeaten run included a 33-22 triumph over Leinster just last week, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown at Energia Park.
Munster’s path to the final has been nothing short of dominant. Chloe Pearse, Chisom Ugwueru, and Caitríona Finn all crossed for tries in the first half against Ulster, while Clogher Valley’s Siobhán Sheerin continued her prolific scoring form, bringing her Championship tally to 25 points. Alana McInerney also dotted down, as Munster clinically pulled away in the second half. Their sights are now firmly set on regaining the Interpro trophy for the first time since January 2023.
Ulster, for their part, showed flashes of quality, with debutant Ciara Fitzsimons scoring two tries before halftime. However, the home side couldn’t keep pace with Munster’s relentless attack after the break. The result means Ulster will face Connacht in the 3rd-4th place play-off next Saturday at Donnybrook, offering both teams a chance to end their campaigns on a high note.
As for the final, all eyes will be on Energia Park, where the two powerhouses of women’s provincial rugby collide once more. Leinster, the defending champions, will be eager to avenge last week’s defeat and claim a third consecutive title. Munster, meanwhile, enter the decider brimming with confidence and intent on reclaiming the trophy. With both sides boasting talented squads and recent history between them, it promises to be a contest for the ages.
The Women’s Interprovincial Championship has never been short on drama, but this year’s edition has raised the bar. From the emergence of fresh faces to the resilience of established stars, the tournament has showcased the depth and quality of women’s rugby in Ireland. Fans can expect fireworks in next Saturday’s final, with provincial pride and championship glory on the line.
For now, Leinster can savor a hard-earned victory in Galway—a testament to their staying power and the spirit that has made them champions. But with Munster looming large, the biggest challenge still lies ahead. The stage is set, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and Irish rugby fans are in for a treat as the Interprovincial crown hangs in the balance.