History was made last week as Scoil Chriost Ri claimed victory in the Leinster Junior Rugby Cup competition in their first ever appearance.
In what is their first year playing rugby in the Portlaoise school, they were invited to join the Leinster Junior Cup after showing themselves to be too strong for the Tier 2 competition.
Scoil Chriost Ri were drawn against Wilson’s Hospital School of Westmeath, away from home, in the first round.
They are the current Leinster 10-a-side champions so it was a tough match for Scoil Chriost Ri on paper.
The game was played on Tuesday and ultimately, Scoil Chriost Ri won the game 57-0.
Captain Lily Brophy was player of the match. Playing at 10, her immense defence, excellent distribution, and great leadership on the pitch was on full show.
Amarachi Obi, playing her first competitive game of rugby, scored four tries from full back. She has recently joined Portlaoise RFC to play club rugby after giving it a try with Scoil Chríost Rí.
Chawa Gondwe Pule was a last-minute replacement for Molly Jane Dempsey, who dropped out of the squad due to illness. She is one of their key players, but Chawa did an amazing job in her first competitive match.
Saffron Adams was immense all afternoon playing at open side flanker. She earned a call up to train with the North Midlands squad on foot of her performance, although she is still too young to play competitively with them.
There were excellent performances all round but one other to mention was Mila Mihajlovic who, playing at Number 8, used her physicality to clean up messy ball, run straight and punch holes in the Wilson’s defence all day.
Speaking about the win, principal Seán Smyth explained how the team came to be.
He said: “The vast majority of our girls play with Portlaoise RFC plus a handful from Portarlington RFC.
“There are a few then who never played rugby before. They just play with the school so we are encouraging them to join clubs.
“I introduced it when I was appointed principal. I also help coach the U-14 boys with Portlaoise RFC.
“The hope is to build it in the school so that we have competitive 1st year, Junior and Senior cup teams and play at the highest level in Leinster. We’re off to a good start.”
Next up, Scoil Chriost Ri face Gorey Community School in the quarter final.
SCORERS – Amarachi Obi (four tries), Saffron Adams (three tries), Chawa Gondwe Pule and Amy Troy (one try each), Saffron Adams (six conversions)
SCOIL CHRIOST RI: Annarose Scully, Amy Troy, Mila Mihajlovic (vice-captain), Emma Ging Gavigan, Saffron Adams, Kate Hosey, Grainne Ramsbottom, Roisín Devoy, Bláthnaid Kehoe, Vanesa Jannsen, Sarah Keane, Ella Sherlock, Rebecca Cahill, Abbie Delaney, Chawa Gonde Pule, Kate Dowling, Molly Fitzpatrick, Tara Peavoy, Rosa Conroy, Amarachi Obi, Lily Brophy (Captain), Emma Finlay, Aoileann NíComaraidhe, Molly Jane Dempsey, Alina Vicol, Layla Lawless, Kate Ramsbottom, Ruby Maunsel
MANAGEMENT: Alex Mihajlovic (Coach), Seán Smyth (Principal and Head Coach), Rebecca Cahill (Team Manager & PR), Ciara Conroy (Coach)
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