Symmons a super substitute

Leinster recovered from going an early goal down to Munster to open their senior interprovincial campaign with a 5-2 win at Grange Road yesterday. Loreto winger Nikki Symmons, brought in as a substitute, crowned her debut at this level with two goals and had a hand in two more.

Rachel Kohler and Sarah Kelleher gave Munster an edge in midfield in the early stages and fellow Irish international Karen O'Brien gave them the lead after 10 minutes, firing a reverse-stick shot past Sarah Hilliard.

Leinster levelled three minutes before the break when substitute Symmons was first to the rebound from Jenny Burke's short-corner. Symmons made it 2-1 five minutes into the second half, again reacting quickly to a rebound off Ciara Ronan's pads. Minutes later the under-21 international set up Leinster's third goal, squaring for Trish Conway to tap home.

A deflected corner shot from O'Brien brought Munster back into the game within a minute, but two more goals, in the 55th and 59th minutes, from Burke and Catriona O'Kelly, sealed the win.

Later in the evening Connacht put up a magnificent defensive display to lose by just a single goal to the title holders Ulster - Jill Orbinson scored their winner after just five minutes.