THERE’S no shortage of Limerick representation in Niamh Briggs’ Munster squad for the Vodafone Women’s Inter-provincial Championship, which kicks-off with another Munster versus Ulster clash to remember at Musgrave Park this Saturday (January 7, kick-off 4.15pm).
Munster are the current holders of the title and will follow-up this weekend’s opener with rapid fire outings against Leinster (home) and Connacht (away).
The three-round series will be covered live on TG4.
TG4’s Head of Sport Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said: “We are delighted to broadcast the Women’s Interprovincial Championship again in 2023.”
“Prominence of women’s sport is one of our key priorities as a broadcaster. We look forward to bringing the championship to our audiences free-to-air on TG4.”
Munster’s Briggs, who takes over at the helm from Matt Brown (new assistant with the province on a coaching ticket completed by Limerick’s Fiona Hayes and Mike Storey), has included no less than 22 players from UL Bohemian, while Limerick’s Aoife Doyle (Railway RFC) also made the shortlist.
Local interest centres around the likes of Alana McInerney, Aoife Doyle, Kate Flannery, Nicole Cremin, Rachel Allen, Claire Bennett, Fiona Reidy, Jane Clohessy, and Kate Sheehan.
Sara Hartigan will continue her role as Munster Manager.
IRFU President John Robinson said: “A huge amount of progress has been made across the women’s game in recent months and this series will provide our players with an important platform to impress after coming out of a tremendous All-Ireland League programme and before we enter the Women’s Six Nations Tournament.”
He added: “The IRFU is committed to driving standards across women’s rugby in Ireland and I have no doubt that this series will help showcase our talented players at a highly competitive level.”
