Irish Women’s Side Defeat Spain

Ireland celebrated their first ever 6 nations win on Saturday defeating Spain (16-0) in Madrid with ten Munster based players starting and two more coming off the bench.

Ireland celebrated their first ever 6 nations win on Saturday defeating Spain (16-0) in Madrid with ten Munster based players starting and two more coming off the bench.

Sarah-jane Belton (UL-Bohs) kicked 11 points adding to a second half penalty try awarded against the Spanish.

Edel Coen (Highfield), Jean Lonergan, Rosie Foley and Anne-Marie McAllister (all featured strongly in the front five with Joy Neville and Fiona Steed rounding off an influential Shannon-strong pack in the back row.

Fiona Coughlan (UL-Bohs) came off the bench for her first cap replacing the injured Jean Lonergan, now a major concern for the French game, while Shannon’s Amanda Greensmith celebrated her 23rd birthday coming on to win her second cap.

For Munster’s Fiona Steed, winning her 54th cap the win justified the strides made in the women’s game in Ireland. Ireland’s most capped player and one of the countries finest representatives was elated after the game. “It’s absolutely amazing. It is the happiest I have ever been on a rugby pitch. I still think that it’s just the start for us and although we have a tough three games left this is just the impetus we all needed for this season and for the future of Irish women’s rugby”

“Two seasons ago Spain hammered us 42-0 when I was captain. That was the worst moment ever for me. To captain your country to a 42-0 loss, and it’s ironic that Spain should again be the opposition when I feel the exact opposite”

Scotland, who beat Ireland last week disposed of Ireland’s next opponents France at the weekend and despite the French currently seeded third in the world Steed was happily entertaining the prospect of their arrival to Thomond Park in two weeks. “I am already looking forward to the French game. It’s in Thomond so who knows maybe we can recreate some of the magic that that ground seems to bring Irish sides and hopefully we will get a lot of home support” The magic of Thomond Park awaits.

Ireland scorers:

Sarah-Jane Belton 3 pens, I con.

Ireland Squad:

SJ Belton (UL-Bohs); N Milne (Worcester); P Kelly (Ul-Bohs);S Fleming (Cooke), L Cantwell (UL-Bohs), J O Sullivan (Nottingham), L beamish (UL-Bohs), E Coen (Highfield), J Lonergan (Shannon), M Dolo (Old belvedere), R Foley (Shannon), A M McAllister (Shannon), R Boyd (Cooke) , F Steed (Shannon), J Neville (Shannon).

Replacements: J Leacy (Blackrock) for A McAllister 60, F Coghlan (Ul-Bohs) for J Lonergan 65 , R Reid (Cooke) for R Boyd 65 G Mc Allister (cooke) for E Coen 68, L Coulter (Cooke) for L Beamish 75 , N Ni Chaidhain (Galwegians) for N Milne 75, A Greensmith (Shannon) for L Cantwell 75