Munster have sealed an impressive 41-14 win over Ulster in this afternoon’s interprovincial opener of the new Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship City of Armagh RFC Palace Grounds.

Ulster centre Ella Durkan scored in the first half for Ulster but two tries from Munster winger Stephanie Carroll and a further score from second-row Clodagh O’Halloran just before half-time sent her side in 17-7 ahead at the break.

Ulster’s second-half try from Maebh Clenaghan was not enough, as Munster turned the screw after the break, adding further tried from Carroll, Roisin Ormond, Ellen Boylan and Brianna Heylmann.

Munster head-coach Niamh Briggs’ side continue their winnings ways with a typically impressive performance, demonstrating their experience and ability to be clinical in attack despite a lack of warm-up matches.

However, newly appointed Ulster head coach Murray Houston's will be happy with the performance from his team in his first interprovincial derby at the helm. His new-look Ulster side looked significantly improved compared to previous outings and there was much to take encouragement from in this performance.

Munster got off to the ideal start when a mistake from Durkan in Ulster’s in-goal area allowed Carroll to pounce on the ball for an opportunistic try to get her side off the mark.

Ulster hit back within 15 minutes with winger Durkan diving on a clever chip-kick from full-back Wilson as Houston’s side battled their way back into the game.

The energetic back-and-forth encounter continued, with both sides struggling to gain the ascendancy. The visitors took advantage of a spell of possession with a sweeping backs move finished by Carroll in the corner for her second try of the game despite the best efforts of Ulster winger Niamh Marley to make a last-ditch tackle. Flannery went wide with the conversion to keep Ulster within touching distance.

As both sides settled into the game it was Munster who started to win the battle for territory and possession. Following a number of phases in the Ulster 22, second-row O’Halloran surged forward and reached the ball over the try-line with an out-stretched arm. Flannery added the extras to increase the deficit as Munster went in with a ten-point lead at half-time.

The visitors increased their lead early in the second half as they patiently went through a number of phases and then supplied prop Ormond with the ball who was not going to be stopped from close distance. 

Ulster were not going down without a fight however, as flanker Clenaghan was driven over the line by her team-mates from close distance to give her side a much-deserved second try. The conversion was added and it looked like Ulster may have the momentum to give the visitors a late scare.

It wasn’t to be however, as Munster went up a gear in the final quarter and struck back with a well-taken try from winger Carroll for her hat-trick in the corner. Munster retained control up until the end, capping off an impressive win with a converted try from replacement lock Heylmann.

Munster leave deserved winners, but the score-line does not reflect the encouraging Ulster performance.