The Ulster U18 Girls squad suffered a 22-5 defeat away to Leinster in the second round of the Inter-Provincial series on Saturday 30th September.
Ulster enjoyed a strong start to the match, moving the ball well across the backline and looking dangerous with each carry. Ulster opened the scoring with the first try of the match at the 16-minute mark with Amanda McQuade crashing over. Leinster responded well and for the remainder of the first half put a lot of pressure on Ulster’s defence. The pressure eventually told and Ulster let in two tries before half-time.
The second half carried on in a similar fashion to the first, with Leinster dominating territory and possession. The Ulster girls worked hard in attack and still looked as though they could take back control of the game but some unforced errors and players getting isolated in contact gave Leinster opportunities to relieve pressure and attack Ulster. After Leinster had scored their third try and with time running out the pressure was building for the Ulster girls, both forwards and backs responded well but with all the energy and aggression that was being put into attack a lapse in concentration allowed Leinster to nab their fourth try from deep in their own territory late in the second half.
Forwards coach Charlie Farrell commented after the game:
“The players and coaches are extremely disappointed with this result, although full credit must go to Leinster for a great game. I’m happy to see our girls playing some good rugby in attack but at times we were guilty of being too passive in defence which allowed Leinster to dictate the game. We’ll watch the video, regroup, work hard during the week at training and aim to put in a solid performance against Munster next weekend.”
Ulster play Munster next Saturday 7th October in the last match of this year’s interprovincial series at Barnhall RFC, kick-off 3pm.
Ulster U18 Squad v Leinster:
(1-8): Emma Kearney (Armagh RFC), Grace Shrestha (Capt) (Dungannon RFC), Ella Garland (Monaghan RFC), Megan Brodie (Virginia RFC), Caolinn McCormack (Virginia RFC), Bethany McDowell (Malone RFC), Katie Hetherington (Clogher Valley RFC), Keelin Brady (VC) (Virginia RFC)
(9-15): Amanda McQuade (Virginia RFC), Lisa Mullen (Virginia RFC), Ellie Ingram (Enniskillen RFC), Lucy Turkington (Dungannon RFC), Kelly McCormill (Monaghan RFC), Mya Alcorn (Letterkenny RFC), Ruth Gilsenan (Virginia RFC).
Replacements: Aoife Cahill (Malone RFC), Ava Fannin (Virginia RFC), Tammy Millar (Enniskillen RFC), Sorcha McCormack (Virginia RFC), Naomi McCord (Malone), Amber Redmond (Virginia RFC), Ciara Byers (Virginia RFC), Holly Brannigan (Malone RFC).
Management Team:
Zoe Templeton - Backs Coach
Charlie Farrell - Forwards Coach
Jemma Jackson - Manager
Imogen Porter - Physio
Ulster enjoyed a strong start to the match, moving the ball well across the backline and looking dangerous with each carry. Ulster opened the scoring with the first try of the match at the 16-minute mark with Amanda McQuade crashing over. Leinster responded well and for the remainder of the first half put a lot of pressure on Ulster’s defence. The pressure eventually told and Ulster let in two tries before half-time.
The second half carried on in a similar fashion to the first, with Leinster dominating territory and possession. The Ulster girls worked hard in attack and still looked as though they could take back control of the game but some unforced errors and players getting isolated in contact gave Leinster opportunities to relieve pressure and attack Ulster. After Leinster had scored their third try and with time running out the pressure was building for the Ulster girls, both forwards and backs responded well but with all the energy and aggression that was being put into attack a lapse in concentration allowed Leinster to nab their fourth try from deep in their own territory late in the second half.
Forwards coach Charlie Farrell commented after the game:
“The players and coaches are extremely disappointed with this result, although full credit must go to Leinster for a great game. I’m happy to see our girls playing some good rugby in attack but at times we were guilty of being too passive in defence which allowed Leinster to dictate the game. We’ll watch the video, regroup, work hard during the week at training and aim to put in a solid performance against Munster next weekend.”
Ulster play Munster next Saturday 7th October in the last match of this year’s interprovincial series at Barnhall RFC, kick-off 3pm.
Ulster U18 Squad v Leinster:
(1-8): Emma Kearney (Armagh RFC), Grace Shrestha (Capt) (Dungannon RFC), Ella Garland (Monaghan RFC), Megan Brodie (Virginia RFC), Caolinn McCormack (Virginia RFC), Bethany McDowell (Malone RFC), Katie Hetherington (Clogher Valley RFC), Keelin Brady (VC) (Virginia RFC)
(9-15): Amanda McQuade (Virginia RFC), Lisa Mullen (Virginia RFC), Ellie Ingram (Enniskillen RFC), Lucy Turkington (Dungannon RFC), Kelly McCormill (Monaghan RFC), Mya Alcorn (Letterkenny RFC), Ruth Gilsenan (Virginia RFC).
Replacements: Aoife Cahill (Malone RFC), Ava Fannin (Virginia RFC), Tammy Millar (Enniskillen RFC), Sorcha McCormack (Virginia RFC), Naomi McCord (Malone), Amber Redmond (Virginia RFC), Ciara Byers (Virginia RFC), Holly Brannigan (Malone RFC).
Management Team:
Zoe Templeton - Backs Coach
Charlie Farrell - Forwards Coach
Jemma Jackson - Manager
Imogen Porter - Physio