Category: Sports

As Published on www.rte.ie/sport Tuesday, 24 August 2010

Ireland prevailed 22-12 in an exciting and tough Pool B clash on day two of the Women’s Rugby World Cup at Surrey Sports Park.

This was always going to be a key game in Ireland’s pool and with Ireland having lost their opener against England, a win was very much needed to keep any hopes of a semi-final spot alive.

Despite being played at the same time as the New Zealand v Australia game, the match drew a great crowd on pitch 2 at Surrey Sports Park with good support for both sides.

The girls in green made the better start with an early run from full-back Niamh Briggs helping to set up a good position in the USA’s 22 but a solid counter ruck meant the Americans could clear under pressure.

The Irish though had the early momentum and number eight Joy Neville’s opening try came after just six minutes as she pounced to crash over on the same day she was winning her 50th cap. The swirly wind made the conversion difficult and Briggs’s effort missed the target.

The wind was also making life hard at lineouts with both sides struggling to get the ball in straight. America were having no problems at the scrum though, where they were dominant.

And it was a scrum that led to their first score, a super shove setting up prop Jamie Burke to crash over under the posts. Out-half Christy Ringgenberg added the extras for a 7-5 lead.

The USA were showing their power up front, putting Ireland under some pressure, but both sides showed good attacking instincts in an action-packed first half.

A superb 50-metre dash from Briggs was a particular highlight for Ireland who looked very threatening in broken play. For the USA, number 8 Blair Groefsema caught the eye with her tenacity.

It was Briggs who brought Ireland back into the game before half-time, with a fine try after a good Irish lineout secured possession. Impressive hooker Gillian Bourke hit the ball up, releasing Briggs who outpaced USA skipper Ashley English to touch down for a 10-7 advantage at the break.

Philip Doyle’s charges came out with the strong wind at their backs and they played smart rugby in the opening 10 minutes, using the breeze to get themselves into good positions in the USA 22.

A series of lineouts were rewarded when they scored again with a excellent surge from Neville again for her second of the day. Ireland now led 15-7 but the USA were still well in the hunt.

Despite the game being tight, the Irish did superbly to secure the bonus point midway through the half. Wily scrum half Tania Rosser reacted quickly to a penalty inside the USA 22 and her pace took her to the try-line.

Briggs kicked her fist conversion of the day and suddenly Ireland led 22-7 and had wrapped up maximum points with over 20 minutes to go.

There was plenty of fight left in this USA side whose physicality up front continued to work Ireland’s forwards hard but Fiona Coghlan and her pack were tactically very sound, rarely getting involved in any skirmishes up front and moving play downfield using the strong wind as much as they could.

Replacement Phaidra Knight made a big impact for the USA when she came on at flanker and her side’s efforts were rewarded with a try from winger Vanesha McGee whose pace took her around Nora Stapleton to take the score to 22-12.

That set up an exciting finish to the game as the USA threw everything at Ireland but the girls in green managed to hold out and take what was a vital victory. They meet Kazakhstan on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 4.30pm) in their final pool game before next week’s play-offs.

IRELAND: Niamh Briggs; Amy Davis, Joanne O’Sullivan, Lynne Cantwell, Nora Stapleton; Helen Brosnan, Tania Rosser; Fiona Coghlan (capt), Gillian Bourke, Louise Austin, Kate O’Loughlin, Marie Louise Reilly, Orla Brennan, Claire Molloy, Joy Neville.

Replacements used: Mairead Kelly for Davis, Chris Fanning for Austin, Caroline Mahon for Reilly (all 64 mins), Shannon Houston for Brosnan (68), Sinead Ryan for Brennan (71), Louise Beamish for Rosser (74). Not used: Laura Guest.

USA: Ashley English (capt); Vanesha McGee, Lynelle Kugler, Mel Kanuk, Victoria Folayan; Christy Ringgenberg, Claudia Knudsen-Braymer; Farrah Douglas, Maurin Wallace, Jamie Burke, Stacey Bridges, Beckett Royce, Mel Denham, Kitt Wagner, Blair Groefsema.

Replacements used: Rachel Reddick for Denham (34 mins-half-time, temp sub), Sharon Blaney for Royce (46), Rachel Reddick for Burke (50), Nathalie Marchino for Folayan (54), Phaidra Knight for Denham (64). Not used: Lisa Butts, Kim Magrini, Amy Daniels.

Referee: Sebastien Minery (France)

As Published on www.rte.ie/sport Monday, 23 August 2010 11:51

Ireland Women’s manager Philip Doyle has named the same starting XV for Ireland’s second game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup against the USA on Tuesday.

Doyle has made two changes to the replacements with Chris Fanning and Caroline Mahon coming onto the bench for Yvonne Nolan and Carol Staunton.

Number eight and former captain Joy Neville will receive the honour of getting her 50th cap for Ireland.

Ireland lost their opening game of the tournament against favourites England on Friday.

Doyle said: ‘I thought we deserved a little bit more.

‘We matched England at times but they are a great outfit and had a bit more pace and power. We will take the positives out of it and move on’

Doyle is now looking forward the USA game: ‘Our application was good against England but we will work on recognising our chances and taking them for this game.’

Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan was pleased with some aspects of the first game ‘Our scrum and defence have improved but we gifted them two cheap scores.

‘We knew it would be a hard game but we have to move on.’

Ireland team to play USA in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B encounter on Tuesday:

Niamh Briggs, Amy Davis, Joanne O’Sullivan, Lynne Cantwell, Nora Stapleton, Helen Brosnan, Tania Rosser

Fiona Coghlan, Gillian Bourke, Louise Austin, Kate O’Loughlin, Marie Louise Reilly, Orla Brennan, Claire Molloy, Joy Neville

Replacements: Chris Fanning, Laura Guest, Caroline Mahon, Sinead Ryan, Louise Beamish, Shannon Houston, Mairead Kelly

As Published on www.rte.ie/sport Friday, 20 August 2010

Four-try England got the better of Ireland in their Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B opener at Surrey Sports Park.

Ireland’s sterling efforts, particularly in defence, warranted more out of this game, but tries from Fiona Pocock and Katherine Merchant had them 12-0 down at half-time.

Full-back Niamh Briggs missed penalty and drop goal attempts and while centre Lynne Cantwell threatened with ball in hand for Ireland, Amy Turner and Maggie Alphonsi touched down in the second half to seal a bonus point for the tournament hosts.

Ireland have never beaten England in women’s rugby but steadily, the difference between the sides has been coming down year on year. The English were made to battle for a 22-5 victory in Esher in this past season’s Six Nations.

It was a similar story here and the girls in green really deserved to be closer on the final scoreboard, given how closely matched the sides were in many sectors.

Despite some obvious nerves and uncharacteristic errors, England, with five successive Six Nations titles behind them, showed their finishing power when it mattered and two tries towards the end of both halves put them out of Ireland’s reach.

Fittingly, the fourth and final one fell to tireless flanker Maggie Alphonsi who put in 21 tackles throughout this gripping tussle.

The result will leave Fiona Coghlan and her team-mates crestfallen but their overall display was such that they will hold no fear about taking on the USA and Kazakhstan in their remaining pool games.

Playing into the wind, Ireland stood firm during an early barrage from Gary Street’s side, but numbers out wide on the left led to winger Pocock picking off a ninth minute try, which out-half McLean converted.

England’s forwards were beginning to boss matters as the first half wore on, but a frustrating penalty count and some tigerish tackling from the Irish kept them out of scoring range.

Ireland, for their part, threatened when Helen Brosnan and Cantwell combined in the backs, and a dropped pass foiled a promising move. They pushed on and drew further encouragement when a move involving winger Nora Stapleton created a penalty. However, Briggs was off target with the kick.

Amy Davis was well-tackled by Heather Fisher as Ireland looked to break their duck, and as the first half came to a close, England clinically turned possession into points. Alphonsi rampaged through the middle after a quick lineout, and the recycle was worked out to winger Merchant for the second try. McLean missed the conversion and a late penalty as Ireland turned around with a 12-0 deficit.

Strong forward play from Coghlan, Claire Molloy and Joy Neville helped Ireland begin the second half in good stead, again though their efforts went unrewarded as Briggs missed a drop goal shot.

Fisher, part of an impressive England back row, raced downfield on a break which got the home side firing again. A quick tap penalty from scrum half Turner saw her score from close range and push the lead out to 17-0.

Both Philip Doyle and Street turned to their benches for the final quarter, and England got a flattering fourth try, with Alphonsi clinching the bonus point just minutes after a successful penalty from McLean.

However, Doyle’s charges did enough on the opening night to suggest that they can better their eighth place finish from four years ago in Edmonton, and it will be a case of onwards and upwards for Tuesday’s encounter with the USA, who top the pool courtesy of a 51-0 win over the Kazakhs.

ENGLAND WOMEN: Danielle Waterman; Katherine Merchant, Emily Scarratt, Rachael Burford, Fiona Pocock; Katy McLean, Amy Turner; Rochelle Clark, Amy Garnett, Sophie Hemming, Becky Essex, Joanna McGilchrist, Heather Fisher, Maggie Alphonsi, Catherine Spencer (capt).

Replacements used: Claire Purdy for Clark, Emma Layland for Garnett, Sarah Hunter for Fisher, Charlotte Barras for Merchant, Tamara Taylor for Essex, Alice Richardson for Burford (all 62 mins), La Toya Mason for Turner (72)

IRELAND WOMEN: Niamh Briggs; Amy Davis, Joanne O’Sullivan, Lynne Cantwell, Nora Stapleton; Helen Brosnan, Tania Rosser; Fiona Coghlan (capt), Gillian Bourke, Louise Austin, Kate O’Loughlin, Marie Louise Reilly, Orla Brennan, Claire Molloy, Joy Neville.

Replacements used: Shannon Houston for Cantwell, Yvonne Nolan for Austin (both 62 mins), Sinead Ryan for Neville (75), Laura Guest for Coghlan (80+1). Not used: Carol Staunton, Louise Beamish, Mairead Kelly.

Hazelwood Nets First Senior Basketball Title

Hazelwood College beat Castletroy, the powerhouse of Limerick Schoolgirls’ basketball, to claim their first county senior basketball title in front of a packed house at the UL Arena. The Hazelwood girls have come off second best to Castletroy for the past two years and the signs were again ominous after a lacklustre campaign this year. However a good showing against St. John the Baptist School, Hospital, four days prior to the final rekindled the spark that had been missing since the defeat in the All-Ireland final of the previous year.

Castletroy took an early lead in the first quarter as Hazelwood struggled to cope with the excellent inside play of Castletroy’s tall post players. Celia Cremin kept Hazelwood in touch with two good baskets before Victoria Harnett and team captain Ciara Meaney leveled the score with a basket each.

Hazelwood took to the floor for the second quarter, confidence boosted, and attacked the Castletroy defence. Never before have I witnessed these girls attack a quality defence with such skill and vigour. A combination of lightning fast breaks by Maire Flanagan and Vickie Harnett, aggressive drives by Celia Cremin and gritty defence by everyone saw Hazelwood outscore Castletroy by eleven points to two before Ciara Meaney nailed a three pointer with two seconds on the clock in the second quarter.

The dreaded nerves appeared at the beginning of the third quarter. Loose shots from outside gave the ball back to Castletroy too easily. Solid defence from Emma Purcell and Miriam Noonan in the centre of the key and Aoife Leahy in the corner made it difficult for Castletroy to capitalise on Hazelwood’s limping offence. A quick timeout settled the team and the girls went back on court and took control. Baskets from Cremin, Meaney and Flanagan gave Hazelwood a commanding 29 – 14 lead with one quarter to play.

The final quarter was played at a frenetic pace. Castletroy applied an aggressive full court press in an attempt to force quick turnover ball. Hazelwood, playing just one post and four perimeter players, easily broke the press and repeatedly scored from the fast break. Castletroy were reluctant to give up their title and dug deep to outscore Hazelwood by 18 points to 16 in the last quarter. The final action of the game saw Deborah Daly seal victory with a classy layup from a fast break by Suzanne Sheehy and Anita Lucey.

It was a special day for all concerned but especially so for four Leaving Cert students who were playing their last game for the school after many years fighting in the trenches with no reward. Best wishes for the future to Aoife, Ciara, Miriam and Vickie.

Photo
Back Row L-R : Desmond Lambe, Miriam Noonan, Suzanne Sheehy, Emma Purcell, Deborah Daly, Celia Cremin

Front Row L-R : Anita Lucey, Aoife Leahy, Ciara Meaney (Captain), Vickie Harnett, Maire Flanagan

Munster A Camogie title Captured by Hazelwood College

Hazelwood College 3-5
St Marys, Mallow 0-3

Dromcollogher GAA pitch was the venue for the Munster A Intermediate final where Hazelwood College took on formidable opponents St Marys, Mallow. The opening ten minutes was fast and furious played at a ferocious pace with Mallow dominating much of the play. Hazelwood College looked in trouble when St Marys opened the scoring with a well taken free. Niamh O Brien opened Hazelwood’s account with a point. Hazelwood had much of the play but could not seem to get through the Mallow defence. Amy Ryan had a fantastic save on the goal mouth and this seemed to wake Hazelwood up. All of a sudden there was a spark within the Dromcollogher side and a hunger was ignited within the whole team. Hazelwood’s defence battled hard and managed to keep the Mallow forwards at bay, scoring only from frees and a well struck forty-five yard puck. Meanwhile Hazelwood’s midfield duo of Tara Hurley and Grainne Sheehy worked tirelessly and delivered quality ball into the forward line. Up front Hazelwood had much possession but bad luck and some sticky defending by the St. Mary’s backs limited scoring output. Clever ball was played across the field to centre forward extrodinaire Ms. Aideen “Aidy Bear” O’ Flynn who ran in and resulted in a fantastic point. Meanwhile Niamh O’ Brien slotted over a forty-five to leave the Hazelwood girls go in at half time leading 0-4 to Mallow’s 0-3.

As the second half commenced, Hazelwood came out fighting- whatever Ms. Herbert had said during the break it did the trick! Every ball was contested with 100% and it was not long before the difference between the two teams became apparent. A quick well taken goal was taken by Aideen O’ Flynn and Hazelwood College now found themselves somewhat in control of the game. Each time the sliotar went in Mallow were put under great pressure by the Hazelwood full forward line of Katie Dillane, Becky Ryan and Sarah Moloney, who hassled and made sure no ball came out easily. In this half our full back line found themselves with little to deal with but the few balls that went in, they were sent out efficiently by Joanne Murray and Aisling O’ Brien. Sarah O’ Sullivan was brought on and delivered a inch-perfect ball into the full forward line. A goal line shuffle resulted in a goal for Hazelwood College taken by Máire Flanagan. Mallow’s forwards tried hard to force their way into scoring range but ultimately were not allowed through by the powerful play put in by Emma Browne, Niamh O’ Brien and lightening fast runs made by Katie O’ Sullivan up the wing. On one of these runs Katie landed the sliotar at the feet of Kallie Hodgson who took on her player and in turn put the ball over the bar. Ms. Herbert, moved our full back, Máiread Geary up to full forward which led to a goal. As soon as Máiread got ball in hand she only had one thing in mind and the finish left the poor Mallow goalkeeper wondering what had just happened! As the referee blew the final whistle, Hazelwood rejoiced after what had been their best display so far. Well done to the team and their coach Ms. Herbert on the deserved win!

Panel- Amy Ryan, Joanne Murray, Máiread Geary, Aishling O’ Brien, Katie O’ Sullivan, Niamh O’ Brien, Emma Browne, Tara Hurley, Gráinne Sheehy, Máire Flanagan, Aideen O Flynn, Kallie Hodgscon, Katie Dillane, Becky Ryan, Sarah Moloney, Niamh Cagney, Sarah O Sullivan, Breda Larkin, Elaine Noonan, Kara Clifford, Katie Coughlan, Helen Bradley, Caroline Watson.

Click on images to enlarge