Saturday played host to a repeat of the 2022/23 Women’s Junior Cup final, where, following extra time, Malone edged their city rivals in a blockbuster affair. However, this year's final, Queen's would have the final say.
Queen's University came into the final with confidence following a successful league campaign, missing out on a WAIL play-off spot by a single point to Enniskillen. Whilst, Malone have enjoyed a successful season of their own, reaching the WAIL Junior Cup final earlier this year, despite being beset with injuries.
Queen's had first kick of the game, and it wasn’t until the ninth minute that Malone had a brief sojourn into opposition territory. The opening exchanges were mainly consigned to close quarters and it was the students that made the early running. The Malone side, however, defended resolutely- holding up Queen's over the line and, shortly after, Sarah Murphy showed good strength over the ball to come up with a crucial turnover.
Queen's persistence eventually paid off when their talismanic skipper, Rebecca Mann, crossed the whitewash for an opportunistic score following a Malone handling error. Creighton stroked over the extras for an early 7-0 lead.
Malone began to show glimpses of their attacking flair, and following an intelligent kick from the back field by Shirelle Wilson, found themselves deep into enemy territory for the first time, but before long, again found themselves hemmed in and back on defensive duties.
Queen's scrum half Rachael McIlroy brought the crowd to their feet with a moment of magic off the back of a malfunctioned lineout, jinking her way through the Malone defence to come within inches of scoring. Following a Malone infringement, Queen's quickly seized the initiative with a tapped penalty, and with quick recycled ball, Sarah Roberts burrowed over from close range. Creighton again split the kindling with the conversion to stretch the lead to 14 points after 26 minutes.
Malone were again required to soak up further pressure from their Belfast rivals, with the Queen's scrum starting to assert their dominance. Queen's looked odds-on to pick up a third try as the first half came to a close, as they bludgeoned their way towards the try line, but it was Cara O’Neill that thwarted this attack with some good work at the breakdown to secure the turnover.
Half Time- Queen's University Belfast 14-0 Malone
At the beginning of the second half Queen's found themselves quickly back on the attack. It was a fine delayed pass from Maebh Clenaghan that saw her unlock some space in behind the Malone defence for her front row colleague Roberts. This produced some quick ball for the backs, which ultimately resulted in a Malone infrigement close to the goal line. Number 8, Ruby Starrett took it upon herself to take the tapped penalty and bulldozed her way over for the third try of the afternoon. Creighton erred with the tricky conversion, leaving the score at 19-0 with 35 minutes to play.
Shortly after, Malone enjoyed their best attack of the game as Jill Stephens and Anna Stanfield got them in behind the Queen's defence, as they made swift progress up the pitch. Bronach acted as spoiler-in-chief for the students, stifling the promising attack, as she forced a holding-on penalty.
Malone continued to ask questions of the Queen's defence with Jill Stephens again dancing her way in behind them. This perseverance was rewarded on the 64th minute, as Niamh Fulton crashed over, following a well-worked lineout move, to cut the deficit to 14 points.
Both teams continued to show lots of endeavour in the closing stages, but as Queen's were awarded a penalty at scrum time following a destructive forward drive, all that was left for the students to do was kick the ball into touch. Referee Kerr’s final whistle was met with jubilation from the women in blue, who secured the 24/25 Junior Cup trophy.
Full Time- Queen's University Belfast 19-5 Malone
On the full time whistle, Queen's head coach Ollie Millar heaped the praise on his players and support staff- ‘I am absolutely delighted for them, they have put in so much hard work and sacrifice, and I thought they were deserving of their win on the day’.
Teams
Queen's University
Anna Dawson 15, Emma McArdle 14, Ciara Fitzsimons 13, Rebecca Mann 12, Alexandra McIlwaine 11, Megan Creighton 10, Rachael McIlroy 9, Ruby Starrett 8, Emily Whittle 7, Lauren Darley 6, Zara Martin 5, Aoife Redmond 4, Bronach Cassidy 3, Maebh Clenaghan 2, Sarah Roberts 1
Replacements:
Sigridur Sharp 16, Victoria Jackson 17, Ellen Patterson 18, Nicole Watterson 19, Sophie McGrath 20, Jana McQuillan 21, Molly Swanson 22
Malone
Jill Stephens 15, Donna McGovern 14, Anna Stanfield 13, Sophie Armstrong 12, Mia Ferguson 11, Emma Catherine Jordan 10, Shirelle Wilson 9, Lauren Maginnes 8, Cara O'Neill 7, Niamh Fulton 6, Ruby Devine 5, Lauren Hassett 4, Ashleigh Currie 3, Katie-Anne McCallion 2, Sarah Murphy 1
Replacements:
Leah Clarke 16, Beth Leckey 17, Cindy Cancino 18
Scorers
Queen's
Tries: Rebecca Mann, Sarah Roberts, Ruby Starrett
Conversion: Megan Creighton (2)
Malone
Tries: Niamh Fulton
Watch it back
Catch all the action on the playback stream on Ulster Rugby Live
