U15 & U18 Girls Set For Munster League Finals

On Saturday, 9th January the Munster Under 15 and Under 18 Girls League Finals will take place at Thomond Park Stadium (Back Pitch).

First up is the Under 15s (kick-off 12pm) which sees a repeat of last year’s final. Holders Abbeyfeale, seek their two in a row title against an amalgamated Listowel/Tralee side who have impressed throughout the campaign.

Hoping to secure a unique double, Abbeyfeale are also involved in the U18 final when they take on West Cork side Bantry Bay (kick-off 2pm).

Meet the finalists…………………

Abbeyfeale U15

Girls rugby was first introduced to Abbeyfeale RFC seven years ago under the watchful eye of John Moloney and his coaching team. Since its inception, it has grown in strength and numbers, particularly over the last three seasons with the introduction of the Munster League.

Defending champions Abbeyfeale will take on their neighbours Listowel/Tralee as they bid to secure a two in a row title and will later cheer on their U18 counterparts.

This year the U15s climbed the ranks from U13 level and together with a few experienced players to help them along the way are well prepared for their upcoming challenge. The squad has developed significantly over the last couple of seasons as girls rugby continues to grow at Abbeyfeale RFC.

Abbeyfeale suffered a defeat in their last meeting with Listowel/Tralee, but worked hard to re-establish themselves in the Munster League semi-final agianst Carrick-on-Suir to earn their place in this year’s final.

Abbeyfeale U15 Girls Squad: Mary Bates, Aisling O’Connor, Caoimhe Pegley, Grace O’Connell, Aine Poff, Ava Kelleher, Chloe Smith, Noelle Curtin, Hannah McCauley, Michelle Curtin, Rosin Scanlon, Sinead Leahy, Aoife Ryan, Anna Lyons, Shauna O’Shea, Cathy Johnson, Shonia Hickey, Lenora Kelly, Noelle Curtin, Sadhbh O’Connor, Carly Bowden (Capt.), Diane O’Connor, Larissa McCarthy, Ciara Sheehan.

Abbeyfeale U15 Girls: Back Row LtoR: Mary Bates, Aisling O’Connor, Caoimhe Pegley, Grace O’Connell, Aine Poff, Ava Kelliher, Chloe Smith, Noelle Curtin
Middle Row LtoR: Hannah McCauley, Michelle Curtin, Roisin Scanlon, Sinead Leahy, Aoife Ryan, Anna Lyons, Shauna O’Shea, Cathy Johnson, Shonia Hickey
Front Row LtoR: Lenora Kelly, Noelle Curtin, Sadhbh O’Connor, Carly Bowden (Capt.), Diane O’Connor (Vice-Capt.), Larissa McCarthy, Ciara Sheehan

Listowel/Tralee U15

Established three seasons ago, this is the second final in a row for Listowel/Tralee, having lost out to Abbeyfeale last season.

Listowel/Tralee U15s started off their season with a win against Kilrush last September. The victory gave them great confidence going into their next fixture against St. Marys RFC, a club who have a long tradition in girls rugby.

Having defeated St. Mary’s in a hard fought encounter, next up for the Kerry side was a meeting against another Limerick club, Shannon RFC. In a tight affair, the match was in deadlock for nearly 20 minutes, until an impressive move from the Listowel/Tralee backline led to them getting over the whitewash to go ahead on the scoreboard and eventually claim the match.

Next up in the league was a repeat of last year’s final away to Abbeyfeale. The Listowel/Tralee girls gave a spirited performance to edge out a win against their neighbours.

This followed a meeting with Bantry Bay which saw the girls come away with a 35-15 victory over the West Cork side to claim their spot in the final.

Listowel/Tralee U15 Squad: Mary Murphy, Danica Kelliher, Shauna Mulvihill, Kayla Mulvihill, Aine Enright, Clare Beasley, Muireann Kennelly, Rebecca Reilly (Capt), Alex Kelly, Patricia Scanlon, Mary Kate Reidy, Meabdh McElligott, Emma Reidy, Sadby Griffin, Rebecca Mason, Deirdre O’Halloran, Hannah Murphy, Hannah Betts.

Abbeyfeale U18

Like many clubs, since girls rugby took off at Abbeyfeale there were many ups and downs, especially at Under 18 level.

With a massive turnaround this season Abbeyfeale now field an U13, U15 and U18 side and as they continue to develop, have recently formed an Under 11 team. None of this would be possible without the support of the families involved, who have also taken part in the girls U18 journey, for which the club are very grateful.

Saturday will be the first time the Abbeyfeale Under 18 girls will compete in a Munster final bringing much excitement and a great sense of achievement throughout the club.

The girls have shown their true grit and determination throughout the league, notably in their hard fought victories against Listowel/Tralee and Shannon to earn their place in the final.

On a great occasion for the club, the Abbeyfeale supporters will cheer on their Under 15 and Under 18 girls’ sides in what is a unique opportunity to come away with two Munster titles on the same day.

Abbeyfeale U18 Girls Squad: Grainne Sheehy, Leanne Nash, Ailish Wrenne, Aoife Rigter, Kerry O’Mahony, Gemma Corpse, Maeve Murphy, Eilish Cotter, Ava Roche, Jackie Murphy, Aoife Madigan, Kara Huxley, Maria Harnett (Capt.) Shauna Sheehy, Katie Lane, Amy Cullinane, Maria Power, Frances Broderick, Lauryn McMahon, Eireann O’Shea.

Abbeyfeale U18 Girls: Back Row LtoR: Grainne Sheehy (Vice-Capt.), Leanne Nash, Ailish Wrenne, Aoife Rigter, Kerry O’Mahony, Gemma Corpse, Maeve Murphy, Eilish Cotter, Ava Roche, Jackie Murphy, Aoife Madigan
Front Row LtoR: Kara Huxley, Maria Harnett (Capt.), Shauna Sheehy, Katie Lane, Amy Cullinane, Maria Power, Frances Broderick, Lauryn McMahon, Eireann O’Shea

Bantry Bay U18

This Saturday, Bantry Bay will create history by competing in their first Munster League final. In just the girls' second competitive season, they have made huge progression in their development and are deserving finalists for 2016.

Bantry Bay RFC was founded in 1926 and after a break was reformed in 1992. At that time there was no feamle rugby in the club and in 2013 Bantry Bay formed a girls youth section. In season 2013/14 they fielded an U15 and U18 team who participated in a development league. They quickly learnt the basics of rugby, delivered their skills on the pitch and loved it from the start.

Since then girls rugby has grown significantly at Bantry Bay and the U18 side have set a marker for the younger girls who hopefully will carry on to create history.

With great dedication the Bantry Bay girls train two to three times a week creating a significant bond within the squad, which really shone through during their semi final win against a strong Listowel/Tralee side.

As girls and women’s rugby continues to blossom at Bantry Bay a Munster U18 League title would be a huge boost for the players that will shortly progress to the club’s newly formed senior side.

Bantry Bay U18 Squad: Rachel Crowley (Capt.,), Danielle Murphy, Caroline Downey, Kate Sheehan, Fiona Cronin, Laura Cato, Tara Cunney, Clare Coombes, Rachel O’Sullivan, Eilis Cunney, Eimear Downey, Grace Crowley, Andrea Stock, Mary Hilda Hurley, Enya Breen, Ellie Hutchinson, Jessica Cronin, Yvonne O’Shea, Clodagh Burke, Olivia Harrington.