Historic day for Kerry rugby as Listowel-Tralee girls take first Munster League title

Listowel-Tralee girls created history at CIT recently by becoming the first under-age girls team from Kerry to win a Munster League Title.

In the final they faced testing opposition from defending champions Bantry Bay, but while the Cork side started the brighter, they could only muster a penalty to show for their efforts. Tries from Muirne Wall and Stephanie Nunan either side of half-time proved crucial as Kerry’s girls ran out 15-8 winners.

It was a remarkable achievement, as the girl’s section has already reached the pinnacle of provincial rugby after being set up in 2013.

“A year ago the girls and coach Chip Vivier discussed what they’d like to achieve, and it was agreed that just winning a game would be nice,” coach Kieran O’Reilly told The Kerryman. “A year later this team has a Munster title as a reward.”

“It was a nerve-tingling match. Bantry made carry after carry, and they eventually broke the defence and got back to within a converted try.

“But the Kerry girls held their nerve at the end to play their way out of the red zone to close out the historic win.”

After what was a momentous day for girls rugby in Listowel, Tralee and indeed Kerry, Kieran took the opportunity to pay tribute to everyone who’s helped the team’s cause:

“I must commend our supporters on what was a great day for girls rugby,” he said. “Hats off as well to Head Coach JP Vivier for all the fantastic encouragement he gives, and indeed Carol Anne Healy, Niamh Wall, Peter Cluney, the clubs of Listowel and Tralee, and of course the girls themselves!”