Bantry Bay Girls Make History

On Saturday last Bantry Bay RFC fielded two girls’ teams for the first time in the club’s history when they travelled to Coonagh to take on the long established Shannon girls U15 and U18 sides.

Bantry Bay U15’s played in their first league competitive match against an experienced and well drilled Shannon team. The girls tackled bravely, however Shannon dominated the early exchanges which resulted in some good tries for the home side.

The Bantry girls steadily began to find their feet and worked their way back into the game with some strong tackling and built some good phases. This hard work paid off which saw Laura Cato scoring the first ever try for Bantry Bay RFC girls with Emma Hurley ably converting despite the windy conditions.

Shannon ran out worthy winners in the end but in atrocious conditions the Bantry coaches were delighted with the work rate, passing, tackles and defensive work put in. Bantry will play their next league fixture away to Abbeyfeale on the 23rd November next.

Bantry Bay U15 Team: Fiona Cronin, Louise Burke, Emma Hurley, Danielle Murphy, Amy Harrington, Laura Cato, Cliona O’Connor, Eimear Downey, Latisha Wycherley and Kate Scully.

Bantry Bay U18 Girls v Shannon U18 Girls

Bantry’s U18 girls also made history by taking on Shannon in a 7-a-side friendly. The girls started the game at pace and their hard work resulted in some early tries from Rachel Crowley and Laura Cato.

With this lead their confidence grew which saw some crushing tackles put in across the field notably by Tara Thornton.

Shannon found their rhythm in the game and got some good tries but Bantry reformed and held their defence resulting in a second try by Rachel Crowley.

Crowley made no mistake in converting all three tries in blustery conditions with the game finishing up 21-12 in Bantry’s favour.

Bantry Bay U18 Team: Grace Crowley, Tara Thornton, Emma Hurley, Caoimhe Barry, Eilís Cunney, Laura Cato, Katie Mullins and Rachel Crowley.

If you are aged between 12 and 15 years and wish to play girls rugby at Bantry Bay please email bantryrugbyclub@gmail.com or phone (086) 3819330 for details.