Tallaght R.F.C. 41
Tries: Cíara McLoughlin 2, Megan Fogarty, Roisin Doyle, Sarah Yemi 2, Aisling Pyke Conversions: Caoimhe Hogan 3
Longford R.F.C. 5
Women’s League Division 4A
Pitch 100, Firhouse
01/10/2017
The Tallaght women’s team got their league campaign off to a great start with a commanding win over Longford. Playing her first competitive game for Tallaght, out-half Aisling Pyke set the tempo with a strong run through the Longford defence. She offloaded to Megan Fogarty who put Cíara McLoughlin away for the try. Then it was Fogarty’s turn when she broke clear of the defence for a try of her own after a fine run by Audrey Fulham to set it up.
Number eight Roisin Doyle was playing her first game of rugby ever but she took to it instantly showing great pace to run away from the Longford defenders to make it 15-0 to Tallaght. Tallaght’s pack were dominant with Lorraine Cleary tackling superbly throughout and Aileen McGovern and Barbara Amolo carrying the ball strongly. After another strong carry from second row Marissa Crane, Cíara McLoughlin broke away to score under the posts and skipper Caoimhe Hogan converted to make the half-time score 22-0 to Tallaght.
Tallaght had the wind at their backs in the second half and they didn’t take long to score again. After a year’s absence Caroline Lamba was back in midfield and her trademark strong tackling forced a turnover. Winger Sarah Yemi took advantage and beat a defender on the outside to score a try under the posts which Hogan converted to make it 29-0. Hogan nearly had a try of her own when she broke on the blind-side from a scrum but she was tackeld into touch just short of the line.
Longford kept working and they were rewarded with a try of their own to make it 29-5. However Tallaght finished strongly with Sarah Yemi scoring a second try, converted by Hogan, before Aisling Pyke rounded off a fine performance by smashing through a tackle for a try to make it 41-5.
Tallaght coach Adam Nolan, in his first competitive game in charge, was delighted with his players efforts. “I couldn’t be prouder of the team. Every single player made a great contribution and our new players really showed up well. We’ve done a lot of hard work in training and it paid off today. If we can keep this group together for the season, we’re going to win a lot of games.”
Player of the match: Cíara McLoughlin
Tallaght
14. Sarah Yemi
13. Cíara McLoughlin
12. Caroline Lamba
11. Megan Fogarty
10. Aisling Pyke
9. Caoimhe Hogan (Captain)
1. Lorraine Cleary
2. Aileen McGovern
3. Barbara Amolo
4. Marissa Crane
5. Audrey Fulham
6. Roisin Doyle
Photos: Jessica Walsh Fulham