Dundalk girls travelled to unexpected dry and sunny conditions in Navan RFC for their first league game of the season.Buoyed on by successs at the recent blitz in Boyne rugby club, all the teams were feeling confident going into this game.
U15s – the girls signalled their intent from the first whistle with Sophie Murtagh running in a quick try to put the stong, experienced side ahead from the get go. However Navan meant business and kept coming back at Dundalk equalling score after score. The game turned out to be a sheer battle with both sides giving it their all. Sophie Murtagh ran in a total of 7 tries, with Zoe Valentine behind her running in 3. Tries also scored by Meadhbh O’Callaghan, Libby Turnbull, Jessica Malone, Katie McGee and Shona Kelly Dundalk girls defended bravely with every girl giving it their all for their team, particularly strong defending from Siadhbh McDonnell, Jessica Malone, Libby Turnbull and Orlagh Conway. Unfortunately, It wasn’t to be for Dundalk girls in the end with Navan scoring the winning try in the last minute of the game with a score of 16-15 to Navan It will go down in tag rugby history as one of the hardest fought battles for the girls and it was hard to accept a loss after such a dedicated team effort. Every girl on the team gave it their absolute best, much to the pride of their coaches, Suzanne Flynn, Maria Cartwright and Chris Scully. Team:– Jessica Malone (Captain), Meadhbh O’Callaghan, Shona Kelly, Aoife Craven, Siadhbh McDonnell, Zoe Valentine, Orlagh Conway, Libby Turnbull, Katie McGee, Siadhbh McDonnell, and Joy Quigley.
U12’s – This team were determined to record a winning score in their first league game and threw themselves into the game from the first minute of play. The very fast paced Caoimhe O’Callaghan ran in a total of 7 tries, followed by 2 each for Holly McEntegart, Deborah Malone, Eva Toal and Chloe Ticehurst. By half time Dundalk were almost ten tries ahead, but going into the second half Navan with plenty of subs with fresh legs got their game on and came back at Dundalk with gusto. Dundalk were put under huge pressure and a battle to the whistle ensued. Dundalk triumphed, holding on to their lead and the game ended 15-13 to Dundalk. All the girls gave one hundred percent and coaches Linda Valentine and Sharon Toal could not have asked for more. A great result for a talented and promising Under 12’s side. Team: Eva Toal, Caoimhe O’Callaghan, Chloe Ticehurst, Temi Fagbamila, Grace Cranny, Holly McEntegart and Deborah Malone.
U10’s – The minis were delighted to kick off their league season with a trip to Navan. With a few new players this season, it was good to see the girls work well together as a team and get stuck into the game. It was a very hard fought game with tries run in for Dundalk by Tara Herr and Lily McEntegart. Relative new starter Bronagh Hughes really got into her game and put two tries in, much to the delight of her team mates. It was a tough encounter for the Dundalk girls with no subs, all the team had to give it their all. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and they were beaten in the second half with a final score of 8-5 to Navan. Team: Tara Herr, Sophie Woulfe, Lily McEntegart, Ruth McGee, Molly Keenan, Isabel Holmes and Bronagh Hughes.
