Fethard Under 14 girls crowned Munster Cup rugby champions after thrilling win
Players showed incredible determination to turn the tables on Clonakilty
Congratulations to Fethard and District Rugby Club Under 14 girls, who claimed a brilliant win in the Munster Cup Final at Virgin Media Park.
Clonakilty came into the match as favourites, having beaten Fethard earlier in the league season.
However, from the first whistle, the Fethard players showed incredible determination and focus as they played into a strong wind in the opening half.
Clonakilty dominated territory and possession for much of the first half, camping inside the Fethard half and threatening the try line on several occasions.
However, the tenacious defence of the Fethard girls stood strong, repelling wave after wave of pressure.
Alyssa Kerrigan, Talya Barlaz, Saoirse Maunsell and Catalina Calvo Costa were amongst those who tackled tirelessly. Clonakilty eventually broke through to score a converted try just before half-time.
With the wind now at their backs, Fethard started the second half with renewed energy. Ali O’Grady, Abi Callanan, Grace Lawrence, Aine O’Neil and Kate Dunne were among the girls who threatened the opposition repeatedly.
After just a few minutes, some slick interplay between the forwards and backs saw Siún McNamara weave her way through the Clonakilty defence to score Fethard’s opening try, which she calmly converted.
From the restart, a clever kick by McNamara pushed the opposition deep into their own half. Lily Gillespie raced up to meet the Clon full back just as she gathered the ball on her try line, producing a big tackle that brought a huge roar from the stands. Fethard were now hitting their purple patch.
Sustained pressure followed, with the ball going from wing to wing.
A break from Kate O’Dwyer set the platform, and Grace Keena picked from the back of the ruck to power over for Fethard’s second try, once again converted by McNamara.
The next 15 minutes were tense and scoreless, with both teams giving everything. Second rows Ayla Barlaz and Anna O’Sullivan put in a huge shift in defence during this period.
Just as the clock turned red, Fethard kept the ball alive with some exciting attacking play, and Catalina Calvo Costa crossed the line for the final try of the match. McNamara capped a great day from the boot by slotting the conversion.
Huge congratulations are extended to the players on a fantastic team performance. Co-captains Gillespie and McNamara lifted the Munster Cup, with McNamara also awarded Player of the Match.
Fethard and District RFC: Kate Dunne, Talya Barlaz, Aine O’Neill, Siún McNamara, Catalina Calvo Costa, Kate O’Dwyer, Alyssa Kerrigan; Ali O’Grady, Grace Lawrence, Abi Callanan, Ayla Barlaz, Anna O’Sullivan, Saoirse Maunsell, Lily Gillespie, Grace Keena.
Replacements: Ana Feeney Carapeto, Emily Furnell, Ava Byrne, Grace Butler, Mya Byrne, Chloe Keane, Sadie O’Meara, Elisha Dillon.