The Junior and Senior Connacht girls schools 7’s cup blitzes took place in Westport RFC with players from Westport, Ballina and Connemara taking part. Each team played each other twice, with the top 2 playing in the final. Ballina took away the cup at Junior level, while Westport edged out Ballina to play Connemara in the final. Connemara had only 5 players for the whole day at Senior level, but the quality of the players earned them their place in the final. Westport, however, also had talent on their side, and came away with the Senior cup.
Wendy Hickey, WCRO, is hoping to increase numbers for next year’s school’s competition. “ I am hopeful that we will be able to increase participation for next year. As more clubs become more interested in youths rugby for girls, it is hoped that the links between clubs and their local schools will be forged and strengthened over the next few years.
The girls school’s cups (Junior and Senior) took place in Tuam RFC last week. The cups were run as blitzes, with 6 schools represented at Junior level (Kinvarra, Colaiste na Coiribe, Ballina, Sacred Heart Westport, Ballygar, Clifden Community school), and 5 teams at Senior level (Sacred Heart Westport, Ballina, Kinvarra, Ballygar, Clifden Community College). The Junior section was set up in 2 pools, with the top 4 playing semi finals, and then finals. Kinvarra, who played their only blitz this year, were strong and played an excellent final against Westport, and came away with the win.
In the Senior section, each team played each other, with the top 2 playing in the final. Westport and Ballina came out the strongest, with most girls playing contact rugby in their respective clubs throughout the season. It was a very close game, but Ballina were victorious on the day.BUCCANEERS 13 SLIGO 7
BUCCANEERS WOMENS squad proved too hot for Sligo as they wrestled the Connacht Womens League title from the north-westerners by defeating the holders more comprehensively than the 13-7 margin indicates after a good final played at Ballyhaunis on Saturday afternoon. The Buccs ladies were dominant from the off and, apart from a late rally by Sligo, the winners looked comfortable throughout.
With Buccs going well in the Leinster Cup and Sligo recent winners in the Ulster Cup, confidence was high in both camps. But the Buccettes signalled their intent from the off to force the pace and dominate territorially for the vast portion of a tough decider played in fine conditions on a sandy-based pitch. Elaine Conlon displayed her versatility when operating at prop with Emer Phelan retaining the No.8 berth. Sinead Taylor and Colette McSpadden, both absentees last week, returned to play key roles in the centre.
Tackling was tight throughout and both teams fared well at setpieces but Buccaneers had a sharper cutting edge although it took them until the 17th minute to open the scoring when Emma Treanor slotted over a penalty. Taylor then made a typically barn-storming break from her own 22, handing off four attempted tackles enroute to a magnificent 29th minute solo try that gave the Athlone girls, who missed one long-range penalty, an 8-0 half-time advantage.
Buccaneers continued to force the pace on the resumption and Niamh Ni Dhroma, try poacher supreme, added another touchdown to her growing collection when she squeezed through in the third quarter to stretch over the Sligo line. This gave Buccs a 13-0 lead that should have been greater as two kickable penalties in this period were spurned while Yvonne O’Shea went close with a promising break. Sligo did not relish losing their title so readily and they battled on gamely, and a 71st minute try at the posts was converted to set up an edgy finish. However, Buccs maintained their composure and shape to deservedly take the honours.
Try scorers Taylor and Ni Dhroma received best support in the backline from McSpadden. Mele Kiripati led by typical example in the front row exchanges, Treanor was a tower of strength at No.8 and Myriam Borque-Cascajo was as busy as a bee around the fringes. All in all, it was a very decent all-round squad effort by Buccaneers that reaped it’s due reward as they captured the League crown in only their second season to add to last year’s Cup triumph. Congratulations to all involved in this historic success.
BUCCANEERS:- N.Ni Dhroma;, A.Kelleher, S.Taylor, C.McSpadden, N.Gough; E.Treanor, S.Hynds; A.M.Sleator, M.Kiripati (captain), E.Conlon; N.Egan, C.Moore; M.Borque-Cascajo, S.O’Shea and E.Phelan. Replacements:- A.Kemmy (for Egan), Y.O’Shea (for Borque-Cascajo), A.Taaffe (for Kelleher) and M.Devaney (for Gough).
This particular Buccaneers team has made huge strides in just two seasons. Runners-up in the league in their debutant campaign, they went one better in winning the Cup. Now they would dearly love to get their hands on the league trophy but Sligo will certainly not be willing to relinquish it softly. Buccs and Sligo are clearly the best two teams at this level in the province, so an absorbing and competitive final will surely unfold. There is terrific spirit and camaraderie in this Buccettes group who are not shy to work hard and learn on the training paddocks.
Sinead Taylor’s powerful carrying and impressive place-kicking add fresh dimensions to the Buccettes backline where the pace and footballing nous of fullback Niamh Ni Dhroma is sure to pose constant problems for Sligo. Sharon Hynds, Emma Traynor and Colette McSpadden are other key figures in this sector. Buccaneers have a much stronger panel this season with the O’Shea sisters, Aislinn Kelleher, Lorna Stuart-Trainor, Christine Mannion, Catherine Moore, Niamh Gough, Antoinette Kemmy, Aoife Taaffe and Mairead Devaney all contending for starting berths and able to give Billy McMickan and mentors quality options in most positions.
