Castlebar Ladies v NUIG match report, Sunday November 8th:
Castlebar Ladies travelled to NUIG’s picturesque home ground in Dangan as they continued their journey through the Connacht League. Any meeting between these two sides has always been a physical encounter with little separating the teams at the final whistle and this game was no different. Castlebar came away with the narrowest of wins beating NUIG with a score line of 19-17.
Castlebar secured early possession and were quick to get themselves on the score board with a well taken try by Mairéad Hopkins touching down under the posts making the conversion that bit easier for Becky Gavin, 7-0 to Castlebar. This 7 point lead was short lived as NUIG fought back and crossed the white wash just minutes later. No conversion was scored giving Castlebar a 2 point lead. Both sides spent the next 10 minutes testing each other’s defence and it was Castlebar who found a way through. Good play from forwards Lucy Golden, Kiara Irwin and captain Anne-Marie O’Hora set up the backs for attack. Fast hands between Jacinta Walsh and Ursula Sammon found Nicola Hall on the wing who outpaced her opponent to the try line and with enough time to spare to bring the ball under the posts where Becky Gavin turned 5 into 7, 14-5 to Castlebar. NUIG secured possession and poor handling coupled with the concession of numerous penalties from Castlebar put immense pressure on them. But their solid defence was rewarded by a scrum for an NUIG knock on. This returned momentum to the visitors as forwards Yvon McNabb and Sandra Kenny set up Emma Doyle on the wing who fought to get to the try line but managed to touch down in the corner, 19-5 to Castlebar after a missed conversion. Just as Castlebar looked to be comfortably ahead, NUIG won themselves a scrum on Castlebar’s 22 metre line and crashed over the try line with power. 19-12 to Castlebar after their conversion was slotted neatly over the bar.
NUIG spent the first 15 minutes of the second half inside Castlebar’s half but Castlebar made tackle after tackle and Mairéad Hopkins robbed the ball from their opponents ruck and brought play into NUIG’s half and attacked using forwards Chelsea Joyce and Emma Fabby. But between backs and forwards, Castlebar were unable to put evidence of their possession on the score board. Centre Mairéad Hopkins looked to have broken NUIG’s line and an offload to Nicola Hall didn’t go to hand giving possession back to NUIG. Castlebar were then forced to defend their own try line for 10 long minutes and while numerous try saving tackles were made they were unable to keep NUIG out and they crossed over for their third and final try. Luck was on Castlebar’s side as the conversion slipped just under the posts; 19-17 to Castlebar at the full time whistle.
Massive thanks to all of the supporters who came out to cheer both teams on. Castlebar will play Sligo in the next round of the league at home in Castlebar on Sunday November 15th. Kick off 1pm.
Castlebar: Becky Gavin, Nicola Hall, Emma Doyle (Vice-Captain), Mairéad Hopkins, Ursula Sammon, Jacinta Walsh, Darwyn O’Halloran, Yvon McNabb, Emma Fabby, Sandra Kenny, Anne-Marie O’Hora (Captain), Lucy Golden, Alison Clancy, Fiona Nic Ruairí, Kiara Irwin. Replacements: Chelsea Joyce, Claire Cuffe, Jen Keegan, Emma Feerick, Patricia McHale, Charlotte Connor, Melissa Neil & Aileen Feeley.
Coaches and management: Jason Keane & Christy Cusack.
Team Mascot: Sophie Keane
