Bantry Bay U18 Girls Win Munster League Title

Bantry Bay U18 Girls claimed the Munster League title last weekend at Thomond Park with a 20-0 win over Abbeyfeale

Match Report courtesy of:- Damien Hicks

On Saturday, 20 girls lined out for Bantry Bay RFC in their first ever Munster League Final against Abbeyfeale RFC.

Thomond Park was the perfect stage to showcase the level of talent in girls rugby in Munster. From the off Bantry wanted to put down a marker, however Abbeyfeale were defensively strong and BBRFC were unable to find a gap. All the action in the first 10 minutes was inside the Abbeyfeale 22.

The only breaks Abbeyfeale got were from the boot of their kicker which were easily dealt with by the accurate hands and powerful running of BBRFC full back, Fiona Cronin. The forwards were on form and took on the ball as they do so well. Still the Abbeyfeale defence stood strong. Bantry got the first points on the board from the accurate kicking of Enya Breen through a penalty conceded by Abbeyfeale.

This seemed to settle the BBRFC girls who decided to play their own game and show how resilient they are. Abbeyfeale got a lineout which they won and tried to run the inside line, but Eilis Cunney with her quick thinking put them out over the line. The powerful Clare Coombes gathered the ball and started working her way forward with the help of Rachel O Sullivan and Danielle Murphy.

Rachel Crowley passed the ball out to Enya Breen who then spread the ball wide through the hands of the backs. Laura Cato made a great run but got stopped short but Yvonne was on her shoulder to take the ball on and cross to give BBRFC their first try. Again the accurate boot of Breen brought the score to 10-0. The BBRFC girls were motoring and Abbeyfeale kicked for touch to try and get some breathing space but the accurate hands and fast feet of Clodagh Burke caught the ball before it reached touch and she ran it getting support from Andrea Stock.

Unfortunately Abbeyfeale managed to get her out over touch which brought us to half time. In the second half Abbeyfeale got a new lease of life and came out fighting. From the off they kept the BBRFC girls in their own half and looked very dangerous. However with guts and great foresight Coombes saw a weak point in the Abbeyfeale lineouts and punished them accordingly. Winning the ball from an Abbeyfeale lineout again the forwards showed their power and took it on. The ball was passed out to Yvonne, who with her long strides crossed the whitewash in the corner, bringing the score to 15-0. Again Abbeyfeale kept the heads up and it seemed to be all Abbeyfeale for the next 10 minutes and they went chasing their try. The tackles by Ellie Hutchinson, Andrea Stock, Caroline Downey and Grace Crowley were severe and they wouldn't give in. Winger, Tara Cunney, got the ball and ran with it from just inside Abbeyfeales half. She was caught short by Abbeyfeale but again Yvonne was there on her shoulder to cross the whitewash. Bringing the score to 20-0 with 5 minutes to go. Substitutions were made and Mary Hilda Hurley and Eimear Downey came into the forwards, with Jessica Cronin, Olivia Harrington and Kate Sheehan slotted into the backs. Abbeyfeale were still looking for their score but with the fresh legs of BBRFC they were able to keep them out.

Abbeyfeale got a penalty and they ran it but lost possession and BBRFC were hungry for another try but were unable to cross. And so it ended with BBRFC being crowned Munster League Champions. Even though the score was 20-0 it was a tightly contested match with both teams deserving their place in the final.

Team1. Danielle Murphy, 2. Eilis Cunney, 3. Rachel O Sullivan, 4. Andrea Stock, 5. Grace Crowley, 6. Ellie Hutchinson, 7. Caroline Downey, 8. Clare Coombes, 9. Rachel Crowley (c), 10. Enya Breen, 11. Clodagh Burke, 12. Yvonne O Shea, 13. Laura Cato, 14. Tara Cunney, 15. Fiona Cronin, 16. Eimear Downey, 17. Mary Hilda Hurley, 18. Jessica Cronin, 19. Kate Sheehan, 20. Olivia Harrington.

Bantry Bay U18 Girls