Killarney U-14 Girls Create History

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On Sunday 24th of October, 15 young emerging rugby girls made their way to the Killarney RFC club that is based in Aghadoe, itself, one of  the most attractive viewpoints in Kerry.

Shortly afterwards, as the bus departed for Bruff, home of the famous John ‘’Bull’’ Hayes, Ireland’s tight head prop for many years, one wondered what would be in store for these girls as they stepped off the bus to compete in their first ever full 15 a side on a full sized pitch.

It been our first trip we were short on time to warm up and get organised, it was indeed a baptism of fire for these girls to face a much bigger set of girls who had been training for longer, were very organised and structured.

It must also be stated that Fiona Steed, herself a huge figure in Irish Women’s rugby and a former Bruff player, was present on the day, and she would have been very proud the way Bruff started, as they ran in a few quick tries. They had a very talented outhalf who was very adept at finding space which accounted for those tries.

But, the Killarney RFC girls, little by little growing in confidence, began to compete in the ruck, their line speed got better, the tackling improved and just before the half, their first ever try was touched down by the excellent Bronagh Dorian. That try was to lay down a marker for the second half.

With just minutes before the game to set up their scrum, and though non contested, their coach was very proud of the effort made to either run or pass from the base of the scrum. Setting up in the front row, Molly Gabbot, Jasmine Howard and Ella Guerin Crowley did a great job in what’s known as the engine room!

In the second row, Niamh Dorrian and Clodagh Foley made great improvements as the game progressed, both in loose play and the lineout.

The back row of Nell Crowley, Bronagh Dorian and Fia Whelan excelled and though a lot to learn, as it is for everyone, a lot of great work was done and it bodes well for the future.

Their coach at half time asked that they forget about the scores of the first half, and look at the second half as a new game, which they did.

To those reading this article please don’t underestimate the effort made by these girls in the second half, as running in three more tries all converted by Bronagh in Brilliant fashion, ensured that not only did they win the second half, but they played the better rugby, itself a marker for the potential of these girls, against a very big Bruff outfit.

Scrumhalf, Holly O Sullivan was very good and it was her skipped pass that put Ella in the corner for a brilliant try. At outhalf, Robyn Landers, though slight in build, has the heart of a lioness and made the referee work very hard at controlling the ruck as Robyn was constantly competing for the ball in there!

Katie O’ Donoghue was a power of strength in the centre, ably assisted by Emer Harrington, who both, as they improve, will be a force to be reckoned with. Elsewhere in the back three, Melissa McCarthy, Isabella O’ Leary and Kate Mangan had a great day learning in what’s required, making tackles, getting stuck in and growing in confidence.

So, the second half tries from Katie, Niamh and Ella rounded off a great ‘baptism of fire’.

A big thank you to Ger, player and chairman who had been coaching the girls up to recently, to the parents who turned up for such a historical occasion, to Tom, Liam, Ann and a big mention to Fiona, whose work is pivotal in introducing more girls to rugby and keeping the paperwork of which there is a lot, up to date.

These are a fantastic group of young athletes, who despite their being completely new to the game, already have a belief in themselves and each other, imagine how good they will be once they have had a chance to train and play a few games!!Next week the girls play a much more developed side, Ennis RFC in Killarney, and will this young and inexperienced side again go out and give the opposition a run for their money??...you better believe it!! See you there.

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