Connacht Girls Mark Historic Day With A Win
History was made last Saturday at the Sportsground in Galway where Connacht played the Munster Barbarians in their first ever girls youth rugby match.
The privilege of being the first captain of the Connacht Girls youth team went to Emma Fabby who led the side from number 8.
The Connacht girls were out of the traps very fast and got stuck into their much bigger opponents right from the first kick, which was fielded magnificently by Rebecca Fabby at full-back.
She immediately turned defence into attack which led to the first try in Connacht girls rugby which was scored by Bríd Reddington.
The Connacht girls kept up a very fast tempo, moving the ball at every opportunity. This led to a second try, scored by Serena O’Shea, to make it 10-0 to Connacht.
After this score, the Munster side attacked up the middle and from a set scrum five metres out, their number 8 burst over for a try which was converted.
Just before half-time, Connacht broke up field with their flying winger Marian Donnellan notching a fine try in the corner to make the half-time score 15-7 to Connacht.
The second half started with the advantage going to the Barbarians from Munster after a knock on by Connacht from the kick-off.
The big Barbarians pack drove hard at Connacht and eventually got over for their second and final try which was not converted.
The concession of that try seemed to galvanise Connacht and, with Lucy Golden dominating the lineouts, the westerners began to put some great moves together. After several phases, prop Eileen Gayndi finished off a great move to score under the posts.
From the kick-off, the Munster Barbarians attacked and this is where the Connacht back-line came into its own. Some ferocious tackling by all the girls led to a turnover on the line which Connacht ran all the way into their opponents’ 22.
From the resulting lineout, which Connacht stole, they scored their fifth try. This was the last play of the game and led to great scenes of jubilation after an historic 27-12 win.
“This is such an historic day for us here in Connacht,” admitted Wendy Hickey, WCRO Connacht Rugby, afterwards.
“I was thrilled with the girls’ performance on the day, but even more so, was delighted that we could make this day happen.
“The opportunity is there to build this into something really interesting for the girls at this level, and I am looking forward to building on this in the future.
“I would also like to thank Michael Lyons who supplied the commerative keyrings for everyone on the day, and who supported this initiative wholeheartedly. I would also like to thank Emer O’Dowd, Carol Staunton and Lisa McDonagh for coaching the girls on the day.”
The Connacht girls’ next match is against Abbeyfeale at the Sportsground on Saturday, March 26.
Thanks to Gearoid O’Riain for the match report.
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