Killarney rugby girls remain undefeated

U16 Munster League

Killarney 30 Dolphin/Midleton/Youghal 5

Aghadoe

Last weekend a combined Dolphin/Midleton/Youghal side travelled to Killarney for the last U16 league game in the conference.

Played in cold and windy conditions, the Killarney girls started like they meant business. The girls played some terrific running rugby and ran in some very impressive scores. Killarney ran the ball at every opportunity and only kicked from hand once in the entire game.

Leading 20-0 at half-time, the girls kept on scoring in the second half. They conceded a late try to the gallant Cork side, who in fairness kept asking serious questions of the Killarney defence. Some of the Killarney girls tackling was very impressive, led by Player of the Match Ava O’Malley whose tackle count was in the teens. She was supported by Clodagh Foley, Melissa McCarthy, Fia Whelan and Bronagh Dorrian.

Any time the Cork side did penetrate the Killarney defensive wall, fullback Marina Eager dealt with it and counter-attacked very well from all areas of the field.

The defensive play of the day came in the last five minutes when birthday girl Fia Whelan wrestled possession from one of the Cork girls’ hands and put in a superbly timed pass to the onrushing winger Niamh Dorrian, who finished off the try very impressively. It was the last score of the game.

Two of our new recruits made their debuts, namely Gráinne Kennedy and Lucy O’Sullivan. Both girls are relatively new to the game but they made significant contributions and are great additions to the growing squad.

By topping their conference, the girls are now into the semi-finals of Munster. In true rugby fashion, both teams shared a warm cup of hot chocolate and some treats after the game, hosted by the wonderful parents of the Killarney girls led by team manager Anne Gabbett. Many more of the parents were, as always, on hand to support the girls and the club.

To top off a great day, the team then visited the fantastic facilities of the newly opened Reboot Recovery Suite for some richly deserved recovery, team bonding, and of course some pizza.

If you think your daughter may enjoy rugby, training for U14s, U16s and U18s takes place in Aghadoe every Wednesday between 6.45pm and 8.15pm evening. New members always welcome. Give Anne a call on 086 3125722.

KILLARNEY RFC: Annie O’Reilly, Ella Guerin-Crowley, Molly Gabbett, Joanne O’Keefe, Melissa McCarthy, Katie O’Donoghue, Clodagh Foley, Ava O’Malley, Robyn Landers, Fia Whelan (captain), Ali O’Donoghue, Bronagh Dorrian, Holly O’Sullivan, Niamh Dorrian, Marina Eager, Miriam O’Sullivan, Grainne Kennedy, Isabella O’Leary, Kate Mangan, Lucy O’Sullivan, Jess O’Sullivan.