Munster will rue missed opportunities as Interpro season gets off to a disappointing start.

Laura Guest started her first Women’s Interprovincial campaign off with a narrow loss to a very good Connacht side at the Sportsground on Saturday afternoon.

In what was a tight encounter throughout, Munster struck first after 13 minutes when winger Laura O’Mahony went over for a nice try which was converted by Edel Murphy. Murphy was on hand again 9 minutes before the break when she slotted a penalty in front of the posts to extend her side’s lead to 10-0. Despite some intense Connacht pressure Munster held strong to take the ten point lead into the dressing room at the interval.

Munster started the second half brightly with plenty of possession and good field position but unfortunately were not able to convert this into points. Connacht then began get a foothold in the game but footholds do little to move the scoreboard.

Up stepped Hillary Griffin Edel McMahon who rewarded her side’s improved efforts in the second half when she got over from just two metres out following a quick tap penalty.

The momentum began to swing in the Westerner’s favour and good work from the experienced Alison Miller and Laura Feely saw Ciara O’Connor go over for the home side’s second try of the game. Munster were now back-peddling and struggling to get to grips with a rejuvenated Connacht side. Ameile Roux added their third try to take the lead out to 19-10 with ten minutes remaining.

While winning the game was now going to be a tall ask for Laura Guest’s side, they set about salvaging something from the game. When Fiona Hayes crashed over the line off the back of a Munster maul for a late try it was enough to claim a losing bonus point.

It was however not going to be enough to deny Connacht their first ever win over Munster in the women’s interpro series. For Munster, the equation is now a simple one, only two wins in their final two games will give them any chance to claim the title.

Up next is Ulster at Dooradoyle on Saturday at 2pm with both sides hurting from opening defeats. It is pretty much knock out rugby with the losers being out of the competition and the winners going forward to the last round with some hope of being in the shake up for the title.