The Ireland U18s Women's rugby team completed a very impressive U18s Women's Six Nations Festival at Colwyn Bay, Wales, winning three out of their five matches.
It was an unusual format for the tournament as each team played four 35-minute matches over two matchdays before one 70-minute affair on the final day.
Ireland began their campaign with a match against England. The Red Roses got off to an early lead with a try after 2 minutes before Ireland were able to turn it around. Tries from a Caitriona Finn interception and a powerful Alma Atagamen score gave Ireland a 12-7 lead heading into the closing stages of the match.
However, it was heartbreak for the Girls in Green as England scored a try to level the contest with seven minutes to go, before an injury time score from Abigail Pritchard gave England the 19-12 win.
Ireland didn't have much time to dwell on that result as later that day they faced Italy. Ireland scored with just over six minutes on the clock as a Siofra Hession blasted by the Italian backfield and Emma Brogan pounced on the ball to score. Sarah Purcell scored arguably Ireland's try of the tournament as she showed great pace and power to run the ball in from 40 metres out as Ireland took the ascendency. Another try from Atagamen before another great try, this time for Leah Irwin in injury time, gave Ireland the 20-0 win after Day 1.
The Irish U18s continued their good form heading into Day 2 of the festival as they came up against the hosts. Wales got a try with just under 10 minutes on the clock through Abby Lane while Ireland were down to 14 players.
The Welsh looked like they were going to be able to hold on to their lead, as Ireland just couldn't get a score. However, with the match entering its closing stages, fly-half Abby Healy crashed over to give Ireland the lead. Then with the clock in the red, Ireland continued to crash towards the line before Bronagh Boggan touched the ball down to give Ireland the 14-5 victory.
Ireland then immediately had to play France following their Welsh win. Les Bleus were just too strong for Ireland throughout the contest and were 17-0 up after just 17 minutes.
However Ireland put in a valiant performance with Emily Foley dotting the ball down in the corner to bring Ireland back into the game. There wasn't a comeback however as France ran in another couple of scores to finish off 31-5 winners.
Ireland were able to recover in their 70-minute game a few days later as they put on a great display against Scotland. It took over 15 minutes to break the deadlock through Sophie Cullen before Jane Wilson crashed over to give Ireland a 12-0 lead. Caitriona Finn scored yet again after a mazy run and link up play with Cullen saw her run under the posts and Ireland were up 19-0 at the break.
Ireland ran in five more tries in the second half as they were a step above Scotland. Cara McLean powered over the line with five minutes played in the second half before some excellent back play off a lineout saw Emily Foley free out wide and she finished it off as Ireland were now leading 29-0.
Abby Healy came on off the bench and showed more heroics after her performance in the Wales win. She gathered the ball from a sloppy lineout and weaved through the Scottish defence just moment after entering the pitch and she doubled her tally for the day 10 minutes later. Another try in injury time from Mia Hennelly finished off what was a successful tournament for Ireland as they won 48-7.
Ireland U18s Women's coaches Matt Gill and Sana Govender would be very happy with their squad's performance over the week.
Their wins against Italy, Wales and Scotland were all impressive and the Irish backline executed some very nice plays. Women's rugby in Ireland is turning towards an upwards trajectory and in years to come we could be seeing some of these women wear the Irish senior jersey.
SEE ALSO: Cliodhna Maloney Will Be A Huge Addition To A Team Growing In Confidence
