The reigning champions maintained their strong run in the Celtic Challenge with another commanding performance over the Clovers to seal the Celtic Challenge Title.
The Clovers made a bright start and opened the scoring just four minutes in. Aoife Corey created the opportunity with a sharp attacking move before sending Niamh Murphy over for a straightforward finish.
The Wolfhounds quickly hit back through Vicki Elmes Kinlan, although the conversion attempt from Dannah O’Brien was unsuccessful.
Momentum soon shifted as the Wolfhounds began to assert control. Christy Haney Djougang powered over from close range following a ruck, and O’Brien added the extras to edge her side in front. The Clovers were then reduced to 14 players when Ailish Quinn was shown a yellow card.
Capitalising on the numerical advantage, the Wolfhounds struck again. Djougang grabbed her second try, showing strength to break through the defence, with O’Brien converting to extend the lead to 19–7.
Despite the setback, the Clovers responded well. Replacement forward Cahill, introduced after Sadhbh McGrath was forced off through injury, made an immediate impact by scoring twice from close-range rucks. However, missed conversions from Enya Breen meant the gap remained narrow.
The Clovers carried that momentum into the second half, crossing early once again. After Quinn was stopped just short, Beibhinn Parsons reacted quickest to dot down and bring her side back into contention.
The Wolfhounds answered in style. Erin King powered through the middle to regain the lead, with O’Brien converting. Elmes Kinlan then added her second try of the match, exploiting space out wide to touch down just after the hour mark.
Maeve Óg O’Leary extended the advantage further with a brilliant solo effort, capitalising on a Clovers error and using her strength to finish.
King crossed for her second try of the half soon after, with O’Brien’s conversion pushing the score out to 43–22.
The Wolfhounds weren’t finished there. Jade Gaffney picked out Caoimhe Molloy in space for their eighth try of the game, capping off an impressive attacking display.
The Clovers had the final say, with Parsons grabbing her second try late on, but it did little to dent another dominant Wolfhounds victory.
Player of the Match: Erin King (Wolfhounds)
