On Saturday, our u16 girls took on a tough home fixture against last season's double Champions, Clonakilty. With illness hitting the team in our scrum halves, a last-minute change to the backs was needed and made. 

Our girls made a strong start from the kickoff and quickly chalked up 3 early tries. The first phases from the forwards followed up with a final phase through the hands in the backs to the wing for Sadbh to dive in a score. 

A strong rucking run ending in a strong individual try by Ellen followed shortly after, and a 3rd try followed before halftime, again from a strong run from just inside the half by winger Sadbh. The girls went into halftime with a 15-0 lead, and confidence was up. 

Massive thanks to the team and coaches of Clonakilty for a really tough battle, to the referee, and to all our parents and supporters who gave the girls a great boost throughout the game. Thanks also to all the volunteers who looked after everyone after the match with well needed refreshments.

However, Clonakilty, known for their strong 2nd half game and obviously fired up at half time, came back into the game quickly getting the ball out through the hands early and good support runners and exposing gaps in our defence to score their first.

This was followed by a similar style try, closing the gap to 15-10.  We had to dig in deep to stay organised and focused, getting the defence solid again and started dominating possession. Good teamwork got the play up the field, and quick thinking from Isabelle from a penalty saw her show a great dummy and duck back inside to run through strong to score under the posts and kick the conversion to push to 22-10. Strong teamwork and organisation, both in offence and defence from the girls in the final period allowed them to see the game out.

Massive thanks to the team and coaches of Clonakilty for a really tough battle, to the referee, and to all our parents and supporters who gave the girls a great boost throughout the game. Thanks also to all the volunteers who looked after everyone after the match with well-needed refreshments.

Written by Tony Dunne