Portlaoise 48 Wicklow Warriors 15
Leinster U-16 Rugby League Quarter Final
After two trips to the home of the Wicklow Warriors, it was their turn to head to Portlaoise for a place in the semi-final of the Leinster League.
The sun was shining on what had otherwise been a stormy weekend, a stiff breeze blew diagonally across the pitch, benefitting Portlaoise, who got the game underway.
Portlaoise dominated the early proceedings. Captain for the day, Blaithnead Kehoe, made great carries, gaining huge ground on countless occasions throughout the game. The breakdown battle was being won thanks to the great work of Orla Costigan.
Molly Kelly whipped fast balls out the line. Playing at 10 for the day, Molly Fitzpatrick orchestrated the offence brilliantly, calling all the right plays.
On this occasion, the ball made its way out to Portlaoise winger Mary O’Hara, who raced along the sideline for her first try of the day, successfully converted by Molly Jane Dempsey.
Portlaoise were enjoying themselves. Abbey Delaney was winning all her battles and making great inroads into the Wicklow half. A quick ball, again from Molly Kelly freed up Aoibheann Conroy to dart out to the wing and release Mary O’Hara for her second try of the day.
With Wicklow struggling to keep up with the pace and power of this Portlaoise side, Saffron Adams gathered the ball deep inside her own half and went on a mazy run, weaving in and out of the Wicklow defence.
As Adams reached the 22, she offloaded the ball to winger Molly Jane Dempsey, who met it at pace and raced through for her first try, with Saffron adding the extra points.
Chloe Kavanagh, with the help of Jessica Delaney, cleared out all the rucks and met every tackle with a sense of enjoyment.
Faye Scully linked up well with Kate Ging, who brought Ciara Cuddy onto the ball and drove into the heart of the Wicklow half.
Drawing Wicklow to the centre of the park, there was acres of space on the wing for Amarachi Obi to exploit. Running at pace, she found Molly Jane Dempsey, who claimed her second try of the day.
Wicklow did find a purple patch and scored a try of their own at the death of the first half. Going into the hallway break, the score was 24-5 in favour of the Midland’s outfit.
As the second half kicked off, Portlaoise had the luxury of introducing their bench.
However, before Saffron Adams left the field, she sidestepped her way through the heart of the Wicklow team to touch down for her first try of the game.
With the pack almost completely changed, twins Emma and Kate Scully rampaged through the centre, aided by Louise Hyland.
With Lily Brophy playing in the centre, she enjoyed a bit more freedom and quickly spotted a gap to score Portlaoise’s sixth try of the day.
With all the changes, the momentum briefly swung in Wicklow’s favour, and a sustained period of pressure saw them cross the white line for their second try.
With the attack proving fruitful for Portlaoise, soon, they would be threatening Wicklow again, led by Tara Peavoy and Sarah Keane.
Just a few metres out, Elisha Gilligan released Kate Scully, who, with great power, drove her way through the Wicklow defence for her first try. She then managed to dust herself off and add the extra two points as well.
Wicklow would show their heart, regrouping and going back on the offensive, landing another try to bring their tally to three.
With all the play going down the middle, the wings opened up again. Grainne Ramsbottom and Abbie Fitzpatrick started to see a lot of the ball.
As Ella Sherlock got in on the action, the drive was on for another Portlaoise score. Daisy Whitten and Kate Hosey pushed the Wicklow defence back, Emily Harvey created room for Lily Brophy to score her second try of the day. Kate Scully added the two points, and with that came the final whistle.
As the final whistle sounded, Portlaoise earned their place in the semi-final in a great display of attacking rugby. While it was heartbreak for Wicklow.
