Tralee ladies make it four wins from four in O’Dowd Park

WOMENS MUNSTER LEAGUE

Tralee 18 Ballincollig 7

TRALEE ladies made it four wins out of four after a hard fought but deserved victory over a tough abrasive Ballincollig side at a wet and windy O’Dowd Park last Sunday.

Tralee started the game in flying fashion and had Ballincollig pinned deep inside their own half from the early stages. The powerful Tralee forwards, ably led by Maura Collins and Siobhan Fleming, had the visitors on the back foot and eventually their incessant pressure paid off when Ballincollig conceded a penalty that Laoise O’Driscoll slotted over.

Soon afterwards Tralee extended their lead when Ballincollig once again infringed illegally, and the accurate O’Driscoll made no mistake with the spot kick once more.

It was all Tralee at this stage, and the try that their efforts deserved eventually came. A typical break from Riona Kennedy saw her off load superbly for Vanessa Dineen to cross the line with O’Driscoll once again adding the spares to see her side take a healthy 13-0 lead in at half-time.

The third quarter of the game belonged to Ballincollig as they put Tralee under enormous pressure early on. Eventually a penalty try was awarded to the visitors after Tralee conceded a number of penalties on their own line.

The game became a bit of an arm wrestle for a good while after with neither side giving an inch. Tralee’s Aine Enright made sure of the points in the very last minute when she crossed for a lovely try.

The contest marked the last time that Tralee’s inspirational full back Riona Kennedy will play in O’Dowd Park. A former captain of the side, Kennedy has been an ever present for Tralee ladies for over 10 years, but has decided to hang up her boots.

Tralee travel to play Shannon next Sunday and it will be Kennedy’s last time putting on the Blue and White jersey. Her drive determination and mentoring of young players will be sorely missed.

MUNSTER CLUB UNDER 16 CUP GROUP 3 Bruff 12 Castleisland 5

CASTLEISLAND put up a fantastic battle against a very physically imposing Bruff side and despite having the lion’s share of possession, some bad decision making ultimately cost them the game.

Bruff were first off the mark with a converted try. Bruff’s massive prop forwards were loving the crash ball, but to their credit the Castleisland defence stood up well. Castleisland got their reward when Podge Brosnan crashed over, but Bruff struck once more to seal the contest. Castleisland face Cobh at home on January 25 in a must win tie.

CASTLEISLAND have informed the Munster Branch that they have pulled out of the Munster Junior League Division 2 for the remainder of the 2019/2020 season. The team lost a number of experienced players through retirement, injury, and emigration before the start of the season and their largely young side have struggled since.

Castleisland were due to play league leaders Old Christians at home on January 5, but conceded the game. They were due to play Cobh Pirates last Sunday, but when it became obvious that they would struggle to field a team the club informed Munster Rugby that they would be pulling out of the league.

In all likelihood, Castleisland will regroup and play in Division 3 of the Munster Junior League next season. The club will hope that their young players coming through will mature whilst playing at a lower level and that they will rebuild for the future.