Ciara Meenagh

Tallaght/Naas 28 Barnhall 5

Playing their first match since November, Tallaght joined up with Naas for a friendly against Barnhall played under lights at Naas RFC. The game got off to a great start for Tallaght/Naas who had most of the possession down in the Barnhall half for the first twenty minutes. There were some fantastic carries by Ciara Meenagh, who was playing at number eight, Ciara McLoughlin and Catherine Murphy. McLoughlin was unlucky not to get the first score of the game when she went on a stormer of a run from deep in her own half only to be bundled into touch on the Barnhall 22. The lineout was won by Tallaght/Naas and after a number of solid phases and pick and drives by the pack, they were awarded a scrum inside the Barnhall 22. Ciara Meenagh made them pay the price for their infringement by going over under the posts with the conversion added to make it 7-0 to Tallaght/Naas at half time.

In the second half again there were some fantastic carries by Ciara and Ann Meenagh along with new recruit Kim Keane who were all making hard yards up the pitch. With five minutes gone in the second half the Tallaght/Naas backline showed some great hands with Caoimhe Hogan and Ciara Meenagh linking up well to send Meenagh over for her second try of the game. Caoimhe Hogan converted to make it 14-0. The backs were beginning to see more ball and the two wingers Ciara McLoughlin and Shauna Power were able to stretch their legs and show some pace, with McLoughlin looking to be in for a certain try before being called back for a foot in touch.

The ‘Meenagh Machine’ of sisters Ann and Ciara were back in tandem tonight and combining well. With Tallaght/Naas camped on the Barnhall line, the ball was popped the ball for a Naas player to dive over for the third try of the match to make it 21-0 in Tallaght/Naas’s favour. Barnhall weren’t going to lie down easy and after some great play, they were rewarded with a try for their efforts to make it 21-5. The Tallaght/Naas pack got going again though and got the ball back out of their own half and were rewarded with another try out on the wing with the Naas out half slotting it with ease to make it a full time score of 28-5.

It was a solid team performance from Tallaght/Naas and a great boost for both sides that will drive them both on into the next few weeks as they return to fixtures in the league.

Report & Pictures: Moia Flannery

Ciara McLoughlin

Caoimhe Hogan