Tullamore ladies are victors in tight finish

In an enthralling encounter, Tullamore ventured to Wicklow to kick off the Leinster D1 League 25/26.

Leinster Womens' League Division 1:

Tullamore 12

Wicklow 10

An intense first quarter seen Tullamore come out the gate hot, with a ferocity that was often missing last season. The first 15 was all Tullamore battling in Wicklow’s 22.
Some brilliant linking up from the forwards out to that talented backline, meant Clare Leonard shot over the white wash in the corner to make it 5-0.
It was still Tullamore in the driving seat, however, the momentum seemed to be interrupted with brief lapses of discipline on both sides. The match slowed down then into a dogfight, with fierce work by both packs in the tight.
Tullamore, however, even with all their possession, just couldn't captalise with a score. And they went in at half time only 5-0 up, with a lot of frustration.

Claire Leonard running at the Wicklow defence.

This frustration seemed to get the better of the Tulliers into the 2nd half. In the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half, Wicklow seemed to gain a second wind and in quick succession put two tries on the board.
Under the sticks, the Tulliers rallied, and began to believe in themselves and each other again. Out they went on the restart, a reinvigorated team.
In the last quarter, Tullamore came to the fore. With blistering speed from winger Amy Berry, and fantastic work up front from Prop Dani Murphy, they were on a mission.
Tullamore were knocking on Wicklow’s door, when outhalf Shannon Tierney showed true determination to muscle her way over the line. 10-10, breaths were held, the whispers were nervous as winger Vicki Carey stepped up for a vital conversion. 12-10, and a loud sign of relief from the Tullamore dug out.
Less than 5 minutes left Tullamore had to retain possession from the restart. A brief falter at ruck time meant Wicklow had the ball within the Tullamore 22m, the defence had to be impenetrable. Flanker Ciara Dunne then launched from the line to take ball and all in a mighty tackle. From this Tullamore could clear their lines and wait the final whistle.
Victorious in a dogfight.
TULLAMORE: Dani Murphy, Roisin Feighery, Robin Maher, Albha Oman, ⁠Caoimhe Guinan, Niamh Hickey, Hannah Kennedy, Hannah Foxe, Poppy Meyer, Shannon Tierney, Claire Leonard, Lauryn O’Reilly, Orlaith Foxe, Vicki Carey, Sinead Rigney.Replacements: Laura Phelan, Kate Fox, ⁠Julia Hooper, Ciara Dunne, Clodagh Thompson, Amy Berry, Aoife Hughes