It was a closely fought competition last Friday in Donnybrook Stadium as the top teams gathered to contest the Leinster Schools Girls X7s Cup for the 2017/18 season.
Having met only a few short weeks ago in several events to qualify for the IRFU X7s National Finals, the girls were again ready and excited to play some fantastic rugby.
New to the Tier A scene having been promoted from their Tier B local area structure were St David’s School from Greystones, where many players represent Greystones RFC U18 Girls.
Scoil Mhuire from Clane, who are coached by teacher and Tullamore RFC player Mary Gardiner, had a good day on the pitch winning two of their three matches despite missing several key players.
St Kevin’s School from Dunlavin in Kildare have been growing in strength for several years, and, boasting several of the Leinster U18 squad who also play for Naas RFC, they managed to win their first two games. However, it all came down to a tough final round where St Kevin’s met Sacred Heart.
The school from Tullamore not only have several Leinster u18 players, but are also captained by Megan Burns, an Ireland Sevens U18 international.
Just a few seconds before the final whistle Sacred Heart managed to score the winning try meaning that they were undefeated on the day and that they brought the Leinster Schoolgirls Senior Cup back to Tullamore for the fourth consecutive year.
It is a testament to Tullamore Rugby Club; a club who takes their female rugby very seriously, particularly since Susan Bagnall became their first female President last season. The club has underage girls’ teams at every level from Minis to Women, fielding two teams including one new to the All-Ireland League.
It is this close relationship between the club and Sacred Heart School that has benefitted the school team greatly, growing a culture of female rugby throughout the town that others are aspiring towards.
Congratulations to Sacred Heart, and well done to St Kevin’s, Dunlavin, Scoil Mhuire, Clane and St David’s, Greystones, who participated in a very enjoyable competition.
If you would like to know more about female rugby, please contact Jennie Bagnall, Leinster Women’s Development Officer at jennie.bagnall@leinsterrugby.ie.
