Portlaoise ladies pull away for derby win
The Portlaoise U-12 girls rugby team who played at half time in the RDS recently at the Leinster V Munster game. Many thanks to coaches Carrie Connell and Yvonne Delaney who have been great with the girls all year. Thanks also to Harry Nicholls for organising the trip.
Portarlington’s ladies rugby team faced their near neighbours, Portlaoise RFC, in the final of the North Midlands Ann Fitzpatrick Cup. The ladies from Portarlington knew from the off that it would be a very tough game, and it certainly was!
The first ten minutes saw Portlaoise advancing ever closer to Portarlington’s try line. Despite some great defence, a penalty was awarded to Portlaoise in front of the posts which was scored, making it 3-0.
Then Portarlington began to gain the ascendancy, a superb kick from out half Tracey Fallon, landing Portarlington within five meters of Portlaoise’s try line. Some quick passing from the backs coming from the line out resulted in a great try for Orlaith Kiely on the wing. Unfortunately, this was to be the last score of the game for Portarlington. Portlaoise then gained possession of the ball well within Portarlington’s 22. Despite being held up over the line more than once by Portarlington, Portlaoise broke through the defence on the wing to score a try.
The game from then on was dominated by a lot of forward play, Olive Guest and Kim Dempsey leading from the front in picking and driving from the back of the rucks. The backs also got involved in making strong runs forward and bursting through the Portlaoise defence, particularly Portarlington’s captain, Sinead Lawlor.
Despite making great ground around the half-way line, Portarlington could not make it to the opposite try line. Portlaoise capitalised on penalties awarded to them and scored two tries on the wing, converting one. The final quarter of the game saw Portlaoise again encroaching on Portarlington’s try line and being denied a try, Tracey Fallon holding the ball up over the line. Despite further great defence by Portarlington, Portlaoise did eventually break through and score a try. The game ended Portlaoise 27, Portarlington 5.
The score line is not representative of the hard work put in by Portarlington, and particularly by Olive Guest, who was awarded Player of the Match. Portarlington are determined to bring the Ann Fitzpatrick Cup back to its home in Lea Road in the near future.
Players: Geraldine Dunne, Kim Tully, Kim Dempsey, Andy Broughan, Lesley Cobbe, Lindsay Graham, Laura Oakley, Olive Guest, Kate Tynan, Tracey Fallon, Fiona McConn, Sinead Lawlor, Rachel Murphy, Orlaith Kiely, Martina Russell, Gráinne Kennedy, Evelyn Browne, Tabby Geoghegan, Sarah Downey, Martina Dunne, Leanne Caulfield, Leanne Fallon. Coach: Damian Huban.
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Weather for Portlaoise
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
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