Killarney U16 Girls pipped in an 11 try thriller

Killarney 31 – Kanturk 34

Report by Patrick O’Reilly, Photos by Olivia O’Sullivan

The U16 girls from Killarney and Kanturk played out a thrilling end to end game of rugby last Saturday at Aghadoe. Conditions were mostly dry with a strong wind favouring the visitors in the first half. Killarney had an unforeseen twist before kick-off, involving a restructure to the starting selection as our opponents only had 12 players, the game proceeded in the 12-a-side format with Killarney rolling on and off players.

The game got off to a hectic pace with Kanturk getting onto the score sheet first with a well taken try. Shortly after the restart and recycling through a number of phases Killarney dug deep to spread the ball wide, giving Ellen Moriarty a pass that would see here sprint along the touch line, with Melissa McCarthy on her shoulder for support, and see Ellen crossing the try line at the corner flag and taking the ball further to touch down between the posts. Eliza O’Sullivan converting to take the lead by 2.

Next under the posts was Killarney, ball swung out to the right through a series of good hands, Holly O’Sullivan broke past her tackler by jinking to the inside and surging on across the line. Kanturk then responded with two tries in quick succession. The second of these tries almost being held up on the line after a super chase by Killarney.

The next try from a piece of broken play where the ball came loose out of a ruck, Annie O’Reilly was first to react, picking up the ball and breaking across the line to score Killarney’s last try of the first half. With Kanturk scoring one more try to go into the break leading 22 – 17.

Early in the second half Holly O’Sullivan took an excellent pass at speed and using some well timed hand-offs propelled herself past the Kanturk defenders and took the ball across the try line. The try was converted by Leanne Griffin, Killarney were ahead by 2.

The next phase of the game saw strong defences from both sides, with Ella Guerin-Crowley, Joanne O’Keeffe, Miriam O’Sullivan and Jasmine Dwyer upsetting numerous Kanturk attacks. Eventually Kanturk broke through the Killarney defences, scoring two more tries and one conversion, taking the visitors 10 ahead.

Killarney stood up to be counted again, with Ellen Moriarty scoring another try, converted by Leanne. Game back to 3 points. Killarney had two further promising attacks involving Kerry O’Shea and Holly Barrett before the final whistle but Kanturk held on to their defences and the game ended at 34 – 31 to Kanturk.

Player of the game was Ella Guerin Crowley for her excellent counter rucking and overall work rate throughout the whole match. Well done Ella!!

It was brilliant to see some of our new recruits for this season, Milly Kelleher, Jasmine Dywer, Kerry O’Shea and Ava Moynihan playing alongside their team mates and showing such pride in their Killarney Rugby Jerseys.

Any girls out there aspiring to play rugby, come up to the field any Wednesday evening at 7pm and give it a try. Boots and a gum-shield is all you need.

Killarney panel against Kanturk:

15. Nell Crowley

14. Kerry O’Shea

13. Holly Barrett

12. Holly O’Sullivan

11. Ellen Moriarty

10. Eliza O’Sullivan

9. Leanne Griffin

1. Annie O’Reilly

2. Ella Guerin Crowley

3. Miriam O’Sullivan

4. Joanne O Keeffe (Captain)

5. Jasmine Dwyer

6. Melissa McCarthy

7. Fia O’Gorman

8. Rhianna Russell

16. Ava Moynihan

17. Milly Kelleher

18. Jess O’Sullivan

Coaches: Hollie O’Byrne, Tony Power, Orla Edmonds, Patrick O’Reilly.

Manager: Olivia O’Sullivan