Portlaoise RFC girls secure Leinster League Division 1 title

The Portlaoise U-14 girls met their Arklow counterparts in Cill Dara RFC for the Division 1 final. This was their third time to meet during this season. With one win a piece this was always going to be a titanic battle. 

Captain for the day was Ella Sherlock whose dad Will is a Portlaoise RFC club legend. There was a moment of silence before the match held in the memory of David Brown.

Portlaoise 15

Arklow 12

U/14 Girls’ Leinster League Division 1 Final

Arklow kicked off proceedings and Portlaoise would have to defend deep into their territory for the opening five minutes. Arklow were impressive with their on-field team instructions to each other, each girl as vocal as the next. 

Portlaoise would make yard up the middle, led constantly by the brilliant Lilly Brophy with support coming from the pack. Superlative rucking by Chloe Kavanagh would be foundation of the Portlaoise attack for the game. 

A kick and chase landed into the hands of the Arklow full back who skipped past two tackles only to be met by Freya Stanley who drove her out over the line.

Arklow needed some quick action and pounce they did. Some great carries would see them into the Portlaoise 22, with an overlap on the wing they saw the advantage which they took for the opening try. A tight angle for the conversion was expertly put over by the Arklow out half.

An impressively drilled Arklow team again looked to make ground in on the Portlaoise 22 only for some serious counter rucking from Kate Ging. Portlaoise would spend the next 10 minutes in the Arklow half. Twice Portlaoise knocked on as they proceeded over the Arklow try line from last ditch defending. 

A deadly carry from Daisy Whitten saw Portlaoise within inches of the line but again Arklow pushed Portlaoise back. 

Portlaoise’s technique at the ruck was something Arklow could not cope with it. The pressure was mounting. Strong running from Jessica Delaney and fast passing from Rachel Hovenden released Molly Kelly for Portlaoise’s opening try leaving Arklow leading 7-5 at half time. 

Elisha Gilligan got the second half under way with a beautifully weighted drop kick which seemed to hang in the air for an age. This allowed Portlaoise to pile the pressure on from the start and give Arklow a hint of what was to come. Portlaoise did not allow Arklow time to settle and quickly regain possession of the ball. Louise Hyland was most influential in the second half. Her carries would gain extra yards and Arklow were finding her presence a real treat. 

Arklow finally made a break on the wing from their impressive full back and flanker combination. A brave tackle from Aoibheann Conroy, embodying the spirit of this Portlaoise team, stopped the treat. 

Portlaoise began to dominate the game for the next 15 minutes. No tackles were missed when they were defending which was making it very difficult for Arklow to get out of their own half. 

Louise Hyland made a great carry into their 22 drawing more than her fair share of Arklow girls. This left an overlap on the other side. A quick ball from Saffron Adams sent Daisy Whitten on her most impressive run of the day. Evading serval Arklow girls and, despite eventually being tackled, she superbly off loaded the ball to Mary O’Hara who had made a well-timed run off her shoulder to race under the posts for Portlaoise’s second try. For the first time in the game Portlaoise had their noses in front. 

Portlaoise were determined not to let Arklow back into the game. They were relentless in their attack, this time led by Erin ‘Pow-Pow’ Powell. Amy Peters drove into the Arklow 22 and swift ball out to Molly Jane Dempsey saw her fly along the touch line avoiding several Arklow defenders to cross the white line for what would prove to be the match winner. 

With only minutes remaining Arklow needed to up their game if they had any chance of winning. Portlaoise were having none of it. Crushing tackle after tackle and when relief was needed Saffron Adams would tear through the middle to give Portlaoise the time they needed to catch their breath and eat into some valuable time. 

Arklow would eventually cross the line deep into over-time but it was too late and after the conversion was missed the referee blew his whistle for full time. 

PORTLAOISE U-14 GIRLS' PANEL: Jessica Delaney, Erin Powell, Daisy Whitten, Amy Peters, Rachel Connolly Ferguson, Chloe Kavanagh, Molly Kelly, Lilly Brophy, Molly Jane Dempsey, Elisha Gilligan, Saffron Adams, Mary O’Hara, Freya Stanley, Kate Ging, Keelin O’Brien Crossland, Emily Harvey, Molly Fitzpatrick, Abbie Delaney, Aoibheann Conroy, Tara Peavoy, Rachel Hovenden, Ella Sherlock, Emma Heffernan, Faye Scully, Ruby Maunsell, Orlaith Costigan, Louise Hyland, Ellie Mahoney, Ruby Coyle, Grace Pearson, Rosa Conroy, Ciara Cuddy, Emma Fitzpatrick, Eve Thompson O’Dwyer.