U18 Girls Host Ballincollig

 

The U18 girls went 3 from 3 in the league campaign and toptheir group with 2 pool fixtures remaining following a hard fought 24 -12 win over a strong Ballincollig team played at Aghadoe on Saturday the 18th of November.

It was Ballincollig possession and Killarney territory for much of the opening stages of the game.  Ballincollig have a strong running game, but Killarney defended well with Joanne O’Keefe, Airida Mateviciute, Clodagh Foley and Ella Guerin Crowley all working hard at tackle and breakdown.

While Killarney created a number of chances with the ball they weren’t accurate enough to turn them into points.  Ballincollig were first to score after 15 minutes when some good running saw their left winger go over for a try.  Killarney responded well, finally putting the ball through the hands of the backline without error and Marina Eager showed her pace to finish the move. The try was converted by Fia Whelan to level the scores.  Some good interplay between Ava O’Malley and Holly O’Sullivan saw O’Malley go over for Killarney’s second try to leave the halftime score at 12 – 7.

In the second half Killarney played with more accuracy and were rewarded when Fia Whelan got on the end of direct carries from Emer O’Keefe and Lily Morris to register a third try.  Then, in the best move of the game Whelan found Ava O’Malley in space from a quick tap penalty and O’Malley made a break of 30 meters before shipping the ball to Mary Ellen McDonnell who put on the gas to beat the final 2 defenders for a fourth try. Ballincollig kept working and were rewarded with the final try of the game.

 

Killarney coach Josh Whelan said “We are delighted to get the win.  Ballincollig are a good side and they put our girls under a lot of pressure.  At times we weren’t accurate enough and didn’t play to our potential, but it says a lot about the squad that they were able to deal with that and find a way to come from behind to finish the game strong.   We are still learning and improving and new players are always welcome.  I’d like to congratulate Emma Dunican and Sara O’Connor on making their club debuts with Killarney today.”

Team:

15) Marina Eager, 1 Try 14) Holly O’Sullivan 13) Ali O’Donoghue 12) Niamh Dorrian 11) Mary Ellen McDonnell, 1 Try 10) Fia Whelan, Co Captain, 1 Try, 2 Conversions 9) Bronagh Dorrian

1) Emer O’Keefe 2) Emma Dunican 3) Lily Morris, Co Captain 4) Ella Guerin Crowley 5) Joanne O’Keefe 6) Melissa McCarthy 7) Clodagh Foley 8) Ava O’Malley, 1 Try

16) Molly Gabbett 17) Airida Mateviciute 18) Annie O’Reilly 19) Jess O’Sullivan 20) Sara O’Connor 21) Isabella O’Leary 22) Nell Crowley

Coaches: Diarmuid O’Malley, Josh Whelan. Team Manager Elaine Clifford.

Pics: Anne Gabbett