High Altitude No Problem for Clonmel

Clonmel’s Womens’ team may have been somewhat apprehensive about life in the AIL first division but they have put their stamp on the competition with another huge away win last Sunday against last season’s first division finalists, Highfield.

All Ireland League Division One
Highfield 3 Clonmel  10

Clonmel pressurised from the start and a nice move involving Aisling Kenny and Niamh Briggs put Mairead Lyons over the line but she was held up.  Great drives by Andrea Smith, Mary Gorey and Laura Healy kept Clonmel in Highfield’s half but strong defence by the home side kept the visitors out and the first half failed to produce a score which was disappointing for Clonmel.

Highfield came out with all guns blazing in the second half and with both the wind and the hill, subjected Clonmel to a lot of pressure.  But great tackling by Sadbh Dromey, Nancy Ferris and Bernie Carrigan kept the home side at bay.  On 20 minutes Kate O’Loughlin stole ball from Highfield’s lineout and the Clonmel pack drove up the field – quick ball from Aisling Kenny to Niamh Briggs saw Briggs chip over the defensive line and chase over for Clonmel’s first try.  Clonmel now adopted a pick-and-drive game and put pressure on Highfield.  Clonmel set up a ruck on the Highfield “22”, from which Natasha O’Keefe broke up the blind side to go over and put Clonmel 10-0 ahead.

Despite Highfield’s best efforts, their only reward was a penalty to reduce the deficit to 10-3 – a score which held until the final whistle.  Clonmel were worthy winners here – it was a great achievement to go to Cork and take a scalp like this one.  To date Clonmel have won all their away games – they now have three remaining league games, all to be played at home at Ardgeeha.  Their next outing will be the big test – Clonmel face Shannon on 2nd December and your support would be more than appreciated.

Congratulations to Kate O’Loughlin and Niamh Briggs who have both been called up to the Irish Training Squad – we wish them well.

Clonmel: R.  Hallahan, E.  Murphy, N.  Ferris, S.  Dromey, M.  Lyons, N.  Briggs, A.  Kenny, K.  O’Loughlin, J.  Lonergan, H.  Hegarty, A.  Smith, M.  Gorey, N.  O’Keefe, V.  Colville, L.  Healy, N.  Carey, B.  Carrigan, H.  Quirke.