Highfield RFC

History was made by Highfield RFC recently when the Cork club fielded an official underage girls team for the very first time. Highfield’s Under-18 girls have only been training together for a few weeks and entered the Munster U-18 League more in the hope of gaining experience rather than with any expectation of success.

However, those expectations may be revised following their excellent showning against Ballincollig. The girls demonstrated a range of skills, particularly their handling and off-loading ability, which would put many more experienced players to shame.

The forwards, particularly captain Roisin Whitford and Kate Deasy, took ball forward strongly while Mona Fehily, at scrum half, moved ball away from the breakdown quickly when required. Sarah Wrixon at number 10 kept the ball moving through the back-line at pace and Meg O’Regan on the wing was always a threat and also made some excellent defensive tackles.

Hooker Aoife Twomey was the star of the show however, proving almost impossible to stop once she got ball in hand and finishing with a hat-trick of tries to her credit. But that was only possible because of the all-round team performance, keeping Ballincollig at bay until the very last play of the game and further underlining the bright future for Highfield ladies at all levels.

Lisa O’Hea and Niamh O’Sullivan took charge of proceedings in the absence of coaches Dave O’Hea and Ali Donnelly, and referee David Oliver handled the game in exactly the right spirit.

The girls train on Fridays at 6.30pm and by arrangement on Wednesdays, and currently playing numbers is the only barrier to their continuing success. The current squad players travel from as far afield as Cobh, Carraigaline, Carraigtwohill and Innishannon but there are as yet, very few local players involved. For more information on the girls’ team and Highfield, please visit www.highfield-rugby.com

Cobh Pirates

Cobh Pirates’ much-talked about Club Reunion will take place on Saturday, December 15 at the clubhouse at the Paddocks, beginning at 7.30pm.

It promises to be a memorable day for all associated with the club and Cobh’s J1 team are sure to have a larger than usual crowd behind them when they take on Newport in the Munster Junior League in the afternoon.

A number of ex-club members and former players are expected to attend the Club Reunion to share their memories of playing for and supporting the club.

Any current or former Cobh Pirates who have old photographs from playing days gone by are asked to email rugby@cobhpirates.com about possible copies being made for display on the evening.

Cobh are planning to make a montage of old photos and have these on display via the TVs in the clubhouse throughout the night.