BLACKROCK TOPS IN ‘7s in the city’
BLACKROCK COLLEGE took top honours in the inaugural Smith’s Supervalu ‘7s in the City’ event, Ireland’s first Womens only Sevens tournament, hosted by Buccaneers RFC and supporting Action Breast Cancer at Dubarry Park, Athlone. Played on the June bank holiday Saturday, Rock triumphed in the Michael Moore Car Sales Open contest. Old Belvedere won the Murphys Law Junior league with Carrick-on-Suir capturing the Medussa Hair Studio U-18 title after a long day’s rugby played in glorious weather that blessed this new Sevens competition.
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Blackrock, with Michelle Claffey leading by example, were the only team in all three grades to win every match and thus emerged worthy victors. The stylish Amy O’Neill added to their success when she deservedly took the accolade as ‘Player of the Tournament’. Railway Union battled all the way to secure a place in the Open Cup final but they just could not match the pace and élan of Rock. St. Mary’s repeated their pool win over Co. Carlow Coyotes to prevail in the Open Plate final.
Host club Buccaneers looked like they would make a strong bid for the Junior honours with promising early victories but ran out of gas in their final pool game against Old Belvedere, who were then building up their own momentum after suffering defeat in their first match. In the Junior decider, Old Belvedere atoned for that opening setback when overcoming Canterbury Warriors, the recent Carrick-on-Shannon/Longford alliance. Buccs repeated their pool superiority over neighbours Tullamore in the Junior Plate final, but the Offaly representatives got some consolation when winning the prize for “wackiest socks”!
Carrick-on-Suir made their long trip from the south worthwhile when they prevailed in the U-18 section, overcoming luckless Portlaoise in that final.
The tournament drew a decent entry line-up and looks like it will establish itself as a regular annual event. Run primarily by Buccaneers Womens players Mele Kiripati, Sandra Griffin and Claire Wyper with assistance from Lorna Stuart-Trainor and Yvonne O’Shea, it provided entertaining fare and a family day atmosphere. The club is indebted to the referees who officiated, to our generous sponsors, to the medics on duty, and of course to all who attended, be they players or spectators. Here’s to next year!