O’Loughlin points the way for Munster

Munster took full advantage of a 0-0 stalemate between Leinster and Ulster earlier in the day by defeating Connacht 3-1 to steal an early march in the race to claim the women’s senior interpro title at Garryduff this evening. Paidi Hartnett’s side monopolised possession throughout, so much so that during much of the first half, goalkeeper Ciara Ronan was the only player in the hosts’ half. But it was Connacht who hit the front in the eighth minute, as Irish international Louisa Moore scrappily finished off Audrey McCormack’s cross after a defensive mix-up to give the westerners a shock lead. Munster laid siege to the Connacht goal for the duration of the half, as vice-captain Julia O’Halloran orchestrated a series of openings. Áine Connery and Hollie Moffett both missed two chances each to keep Connacht in front at the break, with Kym Daly also forcing a neat save from Louisa Healy. But Jen O’Loughlin showed them how it was done on 44 minutes, driving home O’Halloran’s cross. The UL forward repeated the trick four minutes later, finishing off a slick team goal involving Cliodhna Sargent, skipper Deirdre Casey and former Australian A international Michaela Mihailou, to edge Munster in front. And they all but secured the result on 51 minutes, when Audrey O’Flynn was first to react to a rebound after Healy had stopped Sargent’s short corner straight hit. Both goals had been scored with O’Halloran in the sin-bin, reflecting Munster’s dominance, and Healy subsequently pulled off a magnificent triple save from Connery, O’Halloran and Moffett to prevent Munster piling on further misery for Connacht. But Connacht nonetheless remain in contention after Leinster and defending champions Ulster played out a drab scoreless draw earlier in the day. Just three corners were won between the sides in a testy encounter, though Leinster’s Isobel Joyce was required to take a shot off the line in the dying minutes to keep her side’s goal intact. Connacht take on Leinster at 12pm tomorrow, while Munster meet Ulster at 4pm.