St. Mary’s were fired up to continue a strong run of matches, this time against Edenderry, the first time we met them in the league. It was just fifteen minutes before kickoff when the girls received news that they would have to start the game at the reduced number of 13 players to meet the Edenderry side who travelled with less than a full compliment. This was an early blow to the team but they were now even more eager to show what could be done around the pitch with only six forwards.
It was obvious from the first kick off that Edenderry had a strong pack and came to Templeville road to prove their strength and they were not a team to write off in the league. The lack of flankers at scrum time provided an early challenge but the five and three man lineouts were well managed. Orla Fitzsimons proved her skill from the off, stealing multiple Edenderry lineouts and maintaining possession.
However it was the quick thinking of scrumhalf Aoife Thompson who crossed the whitewash for the first points of the match after a 50 metre solo run, converted by Liz Brophy the score after fifteen minutes was 7-0.
Edenderry replied shortly after with an unconverted try. It was Orla Fitzsimons who barrelled over the line next, after a series of phases. In the last play of the first half Aoife Thompson scored her second try of the match, bringing the half time score to 17-5.
Not long into the second half substitute winger Niamh Fitzgerald dotted down over the try line to secure the try bonus point. Edenderry reminded the girls in blue not to get complacent by scoring a try of their own, well worked from their scrumhalf. In the dying minutes full back Liz Brophy scored the final try of the match, coming from training park move through the fast hands of Melissa Hayden and Ciara Scanlan, a brilliant way to welcome Liz back from injury. Final score 27-10 St. Mary’s.
As always there are things to be worked on in training this week before one of our toughest matches of the season this coming Sunday.
The women are now due to start the reverse fixtures with Rathdrum up next week at home, they will be hoping to avenge their only loss of the season. St. Mary’s are currently sitting top of the table but it is still all to play for.
1 Leah Hayden
2 Sarah Brennan Fallon
3 Casey O’Brien
4 Emma Lackey
5 Orla Fitzsimons
6 Darine Frawley
7 Emma Hooban
8 Niamh Fitzgerald
9 Aoife Thompson
10 Sarah Duignan
11 Aoife Kelly
12 Amy Moran
13 Ciara Scanlan
14 Karen Plunkett
15 Liz Brophy
16 Christy Haney
17 Melissa Hayden
18 Michelle Carroll
19 Aoife Moore
20 Paula Fitzpatrick
21 Schoo Veyssiere