Match Report By Diarmuid O’Malley

A combined Dolphin/Youghal and Midleton side travelled to Killarney for the last under 16 league game in the conference. Played in windy cold conditions the Killarney girls started like they meant business. Playing a free flowing style of rugby the girls played some terrific running rugby and ran in some very impressive scores. Killarney literally ran the ball at every opportunity and only kicked the ball from hand, once in the entire game.

Leading 20-0 at half time the girls kept on scoring in the second half, and conceded a late try to the gallant Cork side, who in fairness kept asking serious questions of the Killarney defense, which was very much up to the challenge. 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 and supported by Clodagh Foley, Melissa McCarthy, Fia Whelan and Bronagh Dorrian. Joanne O’Keeffee had a stormer of a game also.

Any time the Cork side did penetrate the Killarney defensive wall, Marina Eager playing fullback always 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, to create the turnover and put in a superb timed pass to the onrushing Ice Cool winger Niamh Dorrian who finished off the try very impressively, which was the last score of the game.

Two of our new recruits made their debuts namely Grainne Kennedy and Lucy O'Sullivan who both are relatively new to the game but added significant contributions to the game and are great additions to the growing squad. By topping their conference, the girls are now into the semi-finals of Munster. The Final score was 30-5.

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, and many more of the parents who are always on hand to support the girls and the club.

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

If you think your daughter may enjoy rugby, training takes place every Wedneday evening for u14s, u16s and u18s in Aghadoe between 6.45pm to 8.15pm, new members always welcome, give Anne a call on: 086-3125722.

The Killarney squad was: 1) Annie O'Reilly, 2) Ella Guerin-Crowley, 3) Molly Gabbett, 4) Joanne O'Keefe, 5) Melissa Mc Carthy, 6) Katie O’Donoghue, 7) Clodagh Foley, 8) Ava O’Malley, 9) Robyn Landers, 10) Fia Whelan (Capt), 11) Ali O’Donoghue, 12) Bronagh Dorrian, 13) Holly O’Sullivan, 14) Niamh Dorrian, 15) Marina Eager, 16) Miriam O'Sullivan, 17) Grainne Kennedy, 18) Isabella O’Leary, 19) Kate Mangan, 20) Lucy O”Sullivan, 21) Jess O'Sullivan.

Photos courtesy of Katie Graham and Anne Gabbett.