Ireland U19 Provincial squad members Shannon Lane (Cavan RFC, left) and Erin Caughey (Malone RFC)
Ulster girls Erin Caughey (Grosvenor GS) and Shannon Lane (Loreto College Cavan) represented an Ireland U19 Provincial team that finished fourth in the Sevens Tournament at the event.
The success of the Ireland Women's 7s and 15-a-side squad earlier this year has helped raise profile of Women's rugby countrywide and the Ireland U19 Provincial side marks another major step in developing a pool ...
Ireland U19 Provincial squad members Shannon Lane (Cavan RFC, left) and Erin Caughey (Malone RFC) Ulster girls Erin Caughey (Grosvenor GS) and Shannon Lane (Loreto College Cavan) represented an Ireland U19 Provincial team that finished fourth in the Sevens Tournament at the event. The success of the Ireland Women's 7s and 15-a-side squad earlier this year has helped raise profile of Women's rugby countrywide and the Ireland U19 Provincial side marks another major step in developing a pool of players to sustain the Women's Sevens programme. Erin, sister of Ireland 7s star Nikki, Shannon and their teammates will now be aiming for a place in the Emerging Women's Sevens Squad, with one eye on the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. The Ireland U19 Provincial squad was selected after an intense screening programme that started back in June. A squad of players was identified and five training camps followed to produce a final squad of twelve. Last Saturday the girls kicked off the tournament with two fantastic wins, beating Wales Dragons B 29-0 and England North 28-5. A 17-17 draw against England South West and a 28-12 win over Scotland later in the day saw them top of their pool and earn a semi-final place. The semi-final against England South West proved to be a real battle. Ireland trailed 5-0 at half time but came back in the second half to earn a 12-12 all draw. Extra time and a penalty shoot out could not separate the two side but the game went into a 'golden score' period with the Irish girls eventually losing out. The bronze medal game saw them up against the London & South West side who were just too strong and took third place with a 15-5 win. Head Coach Stan McDowell said: "I am very proud of this achievement. These girls came together back in July and to play so well after only five training camps shows the level of commitment they have given. "We didn't have any preconceived ideas about where we would finish but this squad have measured themselves against the best and have not been found wanting. Topping the group on day one was a huge boost and a 4th place finish is something we can be very proud of.' IRELAND U19 PROVINCIAL GIRLS SQUAD: Erin Caughey (Malone/Ulster),?Meadbh Donohoe (Tullow/Leinster),?Aoife Doyle (Shannon/Munster),?Irene Herlihy (Mallow/Munster),?Sorcha Holohan (Rugbai Corca Dhuibhne/Munster),?Mairead Hopkins (Ballina/Connacht),?Shannen Lane (Cavan/Ulster),?Emma Murphy (Railway Union/Leinster),?Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Clanwilliam/Munster),?Niamh O'Sullivan (Mallow/Munster),?Jayne Pennefeather (Carrigaline/Munster),?Muireann Scully (Cill Dara/Leinster). MANAGEMENT TEAM: Stan McDowell?(Head Coach), Ruth O'Reilly?(Manager), Eimear Nà Fhallúin?(Physio), Marian Earls (Strength & Conditioning Coach)
Ireland U19 Provincial squad members Shannon Lane (Cavan RFC, left) and Erin Caughey (Malone RFC) Ulster girls Erin Caughey (Grosvenor GS) and Shannon Lane (Loreto College Cavan) represented an Ireland U19 Provincial team that finished fourth in the Sevens Tournament at the event. The success of the Ireland Women's 7s and 15-a-side squad earlier this year has helped raise profile of Women's rugby countrywide and the Ireland U19 Provincial side marks another major step in developing a pool of players to sustain the Women's Sevens programme. Erin, sister of Ireland 7s star Nikki, Shannon and their teammates will now be aiming for a place in the Emerging Women's Sevens Squad, with one eye on the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. The Ireland U19 Provincial squad was selected after an intense screening programme that started back in June. A squad of players was identified and five training camps followed to produce a final squad of twelve. Last Saturday the girls kicked off the tournament with two fantastic wins, beating Wales Dragons B 29-0 and England North 28-5. A 17-17 draw against England South West and a 28-12 win over Scotland later in the day saw them top of their pool and earn a semi-final place. The semi-final against England South West proved to be a real battle. Ireland trailed 5-0 at half time but came back in the second half to earn a 12-12 all draw. Extra time and a penalty shoot out could not separate the two side but the game went into a 'golden score' period with the Irish girls eventually losing out. The bronze medal game saw them up against the London & South West side who were just too strong and took third place with a 15-5 win. Head Coach Stan McDowell said: "I am very proud of this achievement. These girls came together back in July and to play so well after only five training camps shows the level of commitment they have given. "We didn't have any preconceived ideas about where we would finish but this squad have measured themselves against the best and have not been found wanting. Topping the group on day one was a huge boost and a 4th place finish is something we can be very proud of.' IRELAND U19 PROVINCIAL GIRLS SQUAD: Erin Caughey (Malone/Ulster),?Meadbh Donohoe (Tullow/Leinster),?Aoife Doyle (Shannon/Munster),?Irene Herlihy (Mallow/Munster),?Sorcha Holohan (Rugbai Corca Dhuibhne/Munster),?Mairead Hopkins (Ballina/Connacht),?Shannen Lane (Cavan/Ulster),?Emma Murphy (Railway Union/Leinster),?Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Clanwilliam/Munster),?Niamh O'Sullivan (Mallow/Munster),?Jayne Pennefeather (Carrigaline/Munster),?Muireann Scully (Cill Dara/Leinster). MANAGEMENT TEAM: Stan McDowell?(Head Coach), Ruth O'Reilly?(Manager), Eimear Nà Fhallúin?(Physio), Marian Earls (Strength & Conditioning Coach)