The second set of fixtures at IT Carlow in the Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Cup and Plate finals day saw Wicklow and Navan claim honours.
Wicklow were cup winners after seeing off Naas while Navan were able to hold off a late Enniscorthy comeback in the Plate final.
Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby U-16 Girls Cup Final
Wicklow 26 Naas 20
The goal-kicking of Abby Healy helped Wicklow to edge out Naas in the Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby U-16 Girls Cup final.
If Naas needed an early confidence booster, they got it when Lily Haslam snatched an interception inside her half and had the speed to stay ahead of a chasing pack in the first minute.
Out-half Healy was a real leader for Wicklow, popping up with a superb converted try for a 7-5 lead in the fifth minute.
Once ahead, they were never pegged back, full-back Clara Dunne slicing up the Naas defence for Healy to kick the extras for 14-5 in the 14th minute.
It was Healy again on the ball for the third seven-pointer just one minute into the second period in what was a real hammer blow.
Yet, Naas responded impressively, wing Haslam striking for her second try from a sustained attack in which sound handling caused stress on Wicklow’s defence.
It got even better when Isabel Furlong claimed a third try in the 47th minute with the momentum firmly in Naas’ favour.
Really, the game turned on flanker Sophie Murphy’s rip in the tackle, putting left-wing Hannah Lawless over for Wicklow’s fourth try in the 53rd minute.
The 11-point gap allowed for the concession of a late try to Katie Dillon in what was typical of Naas’ determination to go right to the final whistle.
“We knew Naas had improved from the last time we played them,” issued Wicklow coach Karl Birrell.
“It was a tough game, very attritional. We were dragged into a dogfight and, luckily, we managed to get over the line.
“We know, moving forward, we are going to have to watch them because they are coming through at this level.”
It was heartbreak for the Kildare club on an afternoon when they came in as underdogs only to leave nursing a handful of regrets.
They had enough possession and chances close to the line to turn the game on its head were it not for unflinching Wicklow defence.
Nonetheless, coach Sean O’Sullivan knows that the motivation to make it a different story the next time will be a great tool in driving improvement.
“The Naas girls have done themselves, their family and the club proud. We couldn’t have asked for more effort,” he stated.
“They mounted a great comeback when they looked down and, in the end, it was only the clock that beat them.”
Wicklow – Clara Dunne; Lara-Marie Chassagne, Maya Kelly, Millie Leonard, Hannah Lawless; Abby Healy Amelie Birrell; Kellie Magee, Roisin Ni Mhurchu, Jessica Harte, Rebecca Brennan, Clodagh Forsey, Robyn Coffey, Sophie Murphy, Deirbhile Gavaghan.
Replacements: Lucie Gorman, Leila Fitzpatrick, Ellen Harkin, Sadbh Kingston, Eve Stokes, Sarah Doherty.
Naas – Sophie Cullen; Rhoni Hughes, Isabel Furlong, Heidi Lyons, Lily Haslam; Eabha Cullen, Orla Doyle; Sarah Treacy, Sophie Carroll, Roisin Carroll; Mae Coonan, Oliwia Staniewiz; Saoirse Aherne, Ellis Reid, Mark Kelleher.
Replacements: Caoimhe Greene, Erica Vaughan, Rachel Clarke, Hannah Sargent, Muireann Cawley, Caitlin O’Sullivan, Maisie Molloy, Katie Dillon.
Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby U-16 Girls Plate Final
Navan 34 Enniscorthy 17
Three tries in the second quarter gave Navan the breathing space to resist an Enniscorthy resurgence in the Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby U-16 Girls Plate final.
The Meath club couldn’t have asked for a better start, scrum-half Alex Connor sniffing out a try in the first minute.
This was trumped by an Enniscorthy touchdown by lock Leah Guinan, converted by Aoife Doran, for a lead they would hold for just four minutes.
A three-try burst from full-back Emma Brogan (2), probably the most outstanding individual on the day, never mind this match, and centre Sarah Molloy, two of them converted by Molloy, ensured Navan held a decisive 24-7 advantage at the interval.
Instead of sitting on it, Navan added a further 10 points by tries from left-wing Sarah White and No 8 Meah Reid ahead of the water break.
‘Scorthy were always competitive, attacking down the flanks, eventually getting reward from two tries in the final quarter by No 8 Sasha O’Danza and centre Eva Nolan.
They just couldn’t close the gap, despite the prominence of Nolan and captain Carla Cloney from full-back.
“It is a great reward for a great team effort. That is what this group of girls are all about,” said Navan Manager John Molloy.
“It has taken a lot of work to get to this point. This is a team that I expect to stay together. They have a bond and they love their rugby.
“In Navan, we have rugby all the way from U-10 to U-18. The numbers are good and this will help to add to those. It is no coincidence that there are two Navan teams playing on finals day.”
Navan – Emma Brogan; Ella O’Higgins, Emily Flynn, Sarah Molloy, Sarah White; Lillian Brady, Alex Connor; Tia Keague, Anna Marchant, Chloe Brady; Emily Moyles, Caitlin Ratty, Katie Clarke, Katie Kearney, Meah Reid.
Replacements: Sadhbh Casserly, Sophie O’Neill, Lia MacEwan, Kym McGrath, Sinead Doherty, Molly Egan, Faye Kellett-Forde, Aoife White.
Enniscorthy – Carla Cloney; Amy O’Brien, Katie Collins, Eva Nolan, Aoife Doran; Nessa Carty, Danielle Cloney; Megan Rowe, Caoimhe Creavin, Sarah O’Leary; Orla Guinan, Leah Guinan; Alex Foley, Caitlin Doyle, Sasha O’Danza.
Replacements: Katie Lett, Siun Ryan, Teresa Hetmanska-Kelly, Rachel Murphy, Jagoda Harsczyk, Ella Cosgrave