The first of a new programme of events for Leinster schoolgirls rugby took place in MU Barnhall on Wednesday.
The 65 competing schools in girls rugby have been divided into tiers for the coming season, with the top 10 teams provincially being invited into a ‘Tier A’ competition whilst the remaining schools will continue to play more local participation-based rugby in their areas.
Sacred Heart Tullamore, Tullow Community School, Scoil Mhuire Clane, St Kevin’s Dunlavin, Kildare Community School, and St Oliver’s from Oldcastle in Meath all brought highly competitive senior girls teams to the first ‘Tier A’ event which MU Barnhall kindly hosted. They were all playing for a much sought after place in the IRFU National X7s Schoolgirls Finals taking place on 8th November.
Despite the poor weather, the girls arrived with energy, enthusiasm and were keen to get playing.
After 15 fantastic matches of fast-paced, skilful rugby it was Sacred Heart from Tullamore who came out on top.
With a team made up entirely of club rugby players and having several Leinster and Ireland U18s on their squad, as well as a history of winning at x7s rugby, it wasn’t surprising that Sacred Heart were able to confidently shake off everything that their opponents could throw at them.
The second and final ‘Tier A’ qualifying blitz will take place in Naas RFC on Thursday, 27th October, and with the final three places to be decided, the event will be highly contested.
‘Tier B’ events will be taking place around the province in October.
If you want to know more about schoolgirl rugby please contact Women’s Rugby Development Officer Jennie Bagnall at jennie.bagnall@leinsterrugby.ie.
