WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Munster, coached by John McGrath, won their first senior interprovincial title since 1995 in Cork yesterday. Over the weekend the hosts added victories over Ulster and Connacht to Friday's draw with Leinster to finish on seven points, two ahead of Leinster who could only draw with Ulster in the final game of the tournament, one they needed to win by two clear goals to retain their title.

Harlequins' Karen Bateman was top scorer for Munster, with three of their five goals, but a strike by UCC's Cathy Kenefick, perhaps, proved most crucial, in Saturday's 1-0 win over Ulster.

Emer Dillon and Bateman scored second half goals to give Munster a 2-0 win over Connacht yesterday morning, leaving Leinster with the target of beating Ulster by two goals. When Katharine Maybin gave Ulster a first-half lead, direct from a short corner, that target seemed unreachable, but Ciara O'Brien revived Leinster hopes when she converted a penalty stroke early in the second half.

The draw helped a youthful Ulster side beat Connacht to third place, but Orla Bell's team can reflect on an encouraging three days, during which they drew with Ulster and lost by only a single goal to Leinster on Saturday. ... Guardian Service