Munster U18 Girls win Munster Cup Final

Killarney RFC v Clonakilty RFC

Virgin Media Park Saturday 30 March

This cup final was a repeat of the league semi-final meeting in which Killarney emerged 7 – 3 winners after a titanic struggle in difficult conditions down in west cork, so both teams were aware they were in for a tough contest, and so it proved.  The weather at Virgin Media park was dry, but with a strong breeze into the Dolphin end which Killarney opted to play against in the first half.  For 25 minutes of the first half both teams showed good running and handling skills and tested each other out with their kicking games, but defences were also ferocious and well organised, so despite Clon dominating territory the match remined scoreless.

Then a training ground move off a Killarney scrum created space for open side Clodagh Foley to show her strength and trickery to spin through three Clonakilty defenders and dot down under the posts, with Fia Whelan converting.  Clonakilty responded well but conceded a breakdown penalty 10 metres from the Killarney try line.  Co-captain Lily Morris  immediately took the quick tap, broke the defensive line, and turned on the gas to sprint the length of the field for the second Killarney try, also converted by Whelan.  A period of sustained Clonakilty pressure saw them camped in the Killarney 22 at the end of the first half.  The Killarney girls repelled wave after wave of attack but with the clock deep, deep in the red Clon scored their first try, unconverted, to leave the half time score at 14 – 5.

Early in the second half Killarney produced the best spell of attacking play of the game.  Staring with a scrum on half way a series aggressive line breaks and barbarian-style handling, with Katie O’Donoghue, Cara Reilly, Fia Whelan, Clodagh Foley, Emma Dunican, Lily Morris and Mary Ellen McDonnell all prominent saw the Clon defence pulled to pieces and presented Ali O’Donoghue with the opportunity to cut back inside against the grain, swerving and stepping past no less than 6 defenders to score a third Killarney try, which was duly converted to put Killarney ahead 21 – 5.

Clonakilty piled on the pressure, and were finally rewarded with a converted try for 21-12.  The referee then took issue with Killarney’s breakdown work and awarded several penalties in succession to Clon, resulting in a yellow card for Ella Guerin Crowley, and with Killarney down to 14 they worked the ball from one side of the field to the other and the right winger showed good pace to touch down once gain for a try, which when converted left the score at 21-19.

The drama wasn’t over yet.  Strong carries from Niamh Dorrian and Holly O’Sullivan saw Killarney into the Clon 22 and Fia Whelan got over the line, but was deemed to have been held up. Although the stadium clock was in the red, several more minutes of Clon attack ensued, with the introduction of Molly Gabbett and Sara O’Connor lifting the Killarney defence.  Clon came dangerously close to the Killarney line once again before a decisive turnover from Clodagh Foley allowed Whelan to kick the ball dead and seal the victory.

Speaking after the game Killarney coach Josh Whelan said: “To give credit to Clonakilty, we were under pressure for large parts of the game, but our line-out and 22 exits were excellent and that helped us a lot.  The fitness and attitude in defence of the girls really held up, and the tackle counts of Emma Dunican, Ella Guerin Crowley, Clodagh Foley and Fia Whelan were just off the charts.  When we attacked, some of our play was just superb.  After that finish I’m both delighted and relieved to get the result this squad deserves and complete the league and cup double.  As a coaching and management team Diarmuid, Elaine and I are so proud of them all.  They are a genuinely special bunch.”

Full time score Killarney RFC 21 Clonakilty RFC 19

Team: 15) Marina Eagar 14) Niamh Dorrian 13) Ali O’Donoghue -1 try 12) Cara Reilly 11) Mary Ellen McDonnell 10) Fia Whelan, co-captain – 3 conversions 9) Bronagh Dorrian 1) Annie O’Reilly 2) Emma Dunican 3) Emer O’Keefe 4) Joanne O’Keefe 5) Melissa McCarthy 6) Ella Guerin Crowley 7) Clodagh Foley – 1 try 8) Lily Morris, co-captain – 1 try

Replacements:  Molly Gabbett, Jasmine Dwyer, Sara O’Connor, Katie O’Donoghue, Holly O’Sullivan, Nell Crowley

Coaches: Diarmuid O’Malley, Josh Whelan

Team Manager: Elaine Clifford