Cavan ladies travelled to Carrickfergus on Sunday in an anticipated repeat of February’s quarter final 5-0 defeat. After questionable refereeing and dire pitch conditions in that game, Cavan were apprehensive about the day’s performance.
The game started slowly but a strong Carrick forward pack ensured that the ball remained in Cavan’s half for the opening 10 minutes. This soon changed however, as good hands along Cavan’s backline resulted in Hilary Quinn breaking the line, running from half way to secure a 5 point lead right under the posts. Ellen Cahill made it 7-0 by splitting the posts.
Cavan’s confidence was reflected in their game, with good rucking and mauling and hard tackles being made, preventing Carrick from breaking the game line. However, a good kick from a Carrick penalty brought play inside Cavan’s 10 metres with Carrick to throw in. Cavan managed to steal their lineout with impressive jumping by Cathy King, tapping ball to scrum half Karen O’Reilly who passed out to Ellen Cahill. With outstanding kicking throughout the game, Cahill kicked the ball well into Carrick’s 22. The ball was chased down the pitch with great speed and Yvonne Courtney, Christina Tully, Elena Farrell, Deirdre O’Reilly and Kathleen Dawson managed to drive Quinn over the line after a great steal from Carrick’s ruck. Unfortunately, the angle got the better of Cahill who just missed it short leaving the score 12-0 at the end of the first half.
The second half started off well for Cavan with Carrick’s kick not making the ground they expected allowing Cavan to drive Carrick’s winger over the line for a Cavan line out. The ball was won again as Cavan continued to impress with line outs. Cavan’s back line made good ground before being stopped but Cavan continued to make ground with brilliant ‘picking and going’ by Cavan forwards Brigid Reynolds, Grainne McDermott, Christina Brady, Cathy King, Yvonne Courtney and eventually finishing with Caroline O’Reilly placing ball over the try line to bring the score up to 17-0.
Cavan continued to remain strong and confident and when play broke down again on the half way line resulting in Cavan scrum. Cavan excelled in scrums despite a last minute change up as Rosey Morgan moved from second row to prop and captain Claire McDermott moving to hooker position. Reynolds took the ball from the back of the scrum, broke Carrick’s game line and managed to avoid numerous tackles before popping ball to out half Cahill who passed the ball out the back line with Quinn spotting the gap and breaking through for her third try of the game, again placing ball under the posts. Cahill easily converted, leaving a contented Cavan side ahead by 24-0.
The score wasn’t long changing as again great pressure from Cavan forwards prevented Carrick from breaking through and even managed to turn the ball over. Quinn got hold of the ball and again saw the gap, running from deep within Cavan’s half with Kathleen Dawson along side for support to secure the fifth and final try of the game. Cahill was unlucky with the conversion, leaving the final score 29-0.
