Despite a stylish and dominant display in the All-Ireland Plate Final last Sunday (March 30th), the Cill Dara women’s rugby team fell just short of glory when they lost 10-7 against a gritty Ballincollig team from Cork. The Cill Dara ladies were the sole Leinster Rugby representatives at the climax of the All-Ireland women’s rugby knock-out competitions in Tullamore RFC where three national finals, Plate, Shield and Cup, were decided.

Cill Dara started brightly with Carmela Morey and Kate Scully dominating in open play. The first try was soon to follow after a series of phases where the Kildare team dragged their Munster opponents from one side of the pitch to the other playing some attractive running rugby. Eventually, the Dara outhalf, Áine Donnelly, found a gap in the defence and touched down under the posts. Donnelly converted her own try and Cill Dara led after ten minutes, 7-0.

Unfortunately, Cill Dara conceded a penalty soon after for a high tackle. This allowed the Cork girls to kick to touch and get a foothold in the Kildare ladies’ half. Although Cill Dara won the opponents’ throw from the resulting lineout, a handling error gave Ballincollig’s captain, Ger Gallahue, the opportunity to kick the ball over the Cill Dara try line. The Cork captain chased her own kick and managed to touch down the ball just ahead of the Cill Dara defender to score the try. A difficult conversion was succesfully kicked and the teams were now level at seven points apiece.

Cill Dara continued to press and impress. Dara forwards, Sarah Duignan and Michelle Miley were linking well with their backline but the Cork team, in their bright pink jerseys, defended doggedly. Ballincollig’s patient approach was rewarded near the end of the first half when Dara indiscipline gave away a penalty which was again kicked over. The half time score saw the Cork girls retain a narrow 10-7 lead.

The second half was one of frustration as Cill Dara continued to play their expansive and attractive brand of rugby, only to come up short at key scoring opportunities. Ballincollig, on the other hand, played a limited but effective game, retaining possession when they had it and taking care to make few errors. It worked and who can blame them as Cill Dara chased the game looking to peg back that three point deficit. The Dara ladies had their chances but at the final whistle were left to rue what might have been as a scoreless second half gave Ballincollig a 10-7 victory and the title of 2014 All-Ireland Plate winners.

Losing the final in this fashion was heart-breaking for the Kildare ladies but they can reflect on the wonderful achievement of reaching a national final. Although silverware has remained elusive this year for the squad, individuals within the team have attained high honours. Mel Morey was part of the Leinster Women’s squad which won the interprovincial title earlier in the season; Áine Donnelly and Clíona O'Toole are currently training with the Leinster Development Squad and two rising starlets within the ladies’ youth section, Muireann Scully and Aoife Murphy, were both selected for the Leinster U.18 squad

Women’s rugby is now one of the fastest growing sports in Ireland and the successful structure within Cill Dara Rugby Club, from under 7’s up, presents a wonderful opportunity for any Kildare girls or ladies who wish to take up the sport or simply play during the ladies Gaelic football off-season.

Cill Dara Womens’ Squad: Cliona O’Toole, Teresa Harrington, Angela Murphy, Amy Guilfoyle, Michelle Miley, Carmela Morey, Sarah Pickford, Sarah Duignan, Kate Tynan, Áine Donnelly, Lorraine Byrne, Megan Walsh, Cassie Dunne, Rebecca Rowe, Kate Scully, Candela Rolling, Amy Quille, Eliza Kelly, Nicole Carroll, Sharon Nolan, Demelza Callaghan, Maria O’Reilly, Aoife Courtney.