Ladies Rugby
Contact: Deirdre Whyte’s Mobile no: 086-8949090
Email address: whyte.deirdre@gmail.com
____________________________________________________
Ballina RFC, Girls U15 Blitz
It was a festival of rugby at a cold and icy Ballina rugby club recently as the very first girls U15 rugby blitz took place at Heffernan park, on the banks of the River Moy. The host club, having only started girls rugby this season, fielded two teams, while Westport, Buccaneers and Virginia from county Cavan also competed. The event was organised by the very hard working team of Deirdre Whyte, Jacinta Kearney and Ann Carroll from Ballina RFC, with the help of Wendy Hickey and Lyndon Jones from the Connacht branch. A great crowd of cold but enthusiastic supporters gathered pitch side for what turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining afternoons rugby, as all teams showed a great appetite and understanding of the game.
Proceeding’s got under way with Ballina (1) and Westport locking horns in a game that went down right down to the wire, while Ballina (2) entertained the girls from Bucanneers on the second pitch. All the girls gave it their all, with some excellent tackling, rucking and silken running that produced some excellent tries. Virginia, having travelled for 3 hours to the event entered the fray for the second phase of games. Heads soon turned, as the Cavan girls, resplendent in pink jerseys and having the experience of regularly playing in a competitive Ulster league, displayed a wealth of rugby talent and proceeded to be the dominant team on display. As matches continued through out the afternoon in the arctic conditions, legs and limbs were starting to wilt for players and spectators alike and the comfort of the clubhouse was a welcome retreat for all.
The Kitchen staff who worked their fingers to the bone, had the hot soup and sandwich`s ready for all, before the presentations. Special guests Dara Calleary and Dermot Mannion, stepped in for the unavoidably absent Jedward, and the girls from all teams were presented with medals. It was acknowledged by Wendy Hickey, that Ballina RFC is making a massive contribution to grassroots rugby in Connacht, with over thirty girls regularly turning up for training. It is anticipated that more games will be organised within the province as the game grows in popularity. Deirdre Whyte stated that she was astounded by the level of interest shown by the girls from the start of the season, and their numbers continue to grow.
Photos to follow…
_____________________________________________________
Girls and Women’s rugby take center stage in Connacht
It was all about women’s and girls’ rugby in the Sportsground last Saturday, as girls from mini to representative took to the pitches for some action packed rugby. At 12pm, a mix of Galwegians and UCG players took on Tuam RFC, resulting in a 15-0 in favour of the mixed team with some fine performances from Shona Craig, Niamh Quinn, Alma Lacken, Maire Foley and Sarah Brady. Tuam players Cathy Gormally, Katherine Begley, Mary Murphy, Marie Riley, and backs Louise Corcoran, Grainne Divilly, and Kathrin Antweiler also had some great phases of play and were a tough side to compete against!
Ballina U15’s travelled down to play at half time, and formed a guard of honor at the start of the Connacht vs Munster senior women’s match, and some mini players from Westport, Ballinasloe and Na Bairnachai were also on hand to raise the flags and welcome both sides to the pitch. When the half time whistle blew, Ballina U15’s played against each other, displaying some fine rugby, with much credit to be given to the coaching staff and management Deirdre Whyte, Anne Carroll and Jacinthe Kearney. On the other half of the pitch, a mix of the mini clubs played some great rugby, and much credit to them for travelling down for the half time show match. Wendy Hickey, Community Rugby Officer and women’s development officer, was delighted with the turnout on the day, and encouraged with the development of the game from all levels. “It was excellent to see girls from mini all the way to representative taking part in a day of rugby. It allows the mini players to see that there is a pathway for them to follow, and that with the support from their own clubs, youth rugby for girls can flourish and they too can be wearing the green jersey and represent their province and possibly their country! For this to happen however, support from their local rugby clubs is vital, and I applaud the clubs that have come on board and welcome girls and youths rugby in their club structure.”
Wendy Hickey
Women’s Rugby Development Officer
Connacht Rugby
The Sportsground
College Rd.
Galway
Blitz is being organised on 28th November, venue TBC.
___________________________________________________________
Christmas Youth Quiz
Youth Quiz is being organised for November 27thin Clubhouse at 8.30 pm.
Admission €5.00 per person, tables of 4. Raffle will take place during break 50c each. Lots of prizes.
More details later.
____________________________________________________________
Links:
