Magnificent mullingar heifers reach the promised land

On a day when Ireland won back-to-back Six Nations Championships, rugby history was made in Mullingar as well, when Mullingar RFC's senior ladies team assured themselves of Women's All-Ireland League rugby next season, and clinched the Bank of Ireland Leinster Women's League Division 1 title.

Neighbours Edenderry never got off the ground against the magnificent Heifers, who ran out 23-3 winners on finals day at Donnybrook today.

The win caps a tremendous 12 months for Mullingar Rugby Club which saw Leinster Cups at U15 and U20 level, promotion to Division 1B for the gents' 1sts, and the start of a €1m development at Shay Murtagh Park in Cullion.

The Mullingar girls settled with an early penalty, and although it was tit-for-tat for much of the first half, the 'Gar struck shortly before the break with a superb try from winger Martina Burke.

On the back of this and a half-time chat with coaches Davy Miller and Dave Farrelly, the Heifers emerged for the second half brimming with confidence, and they got medieval on Edenderry in the second half.

A penalty from Ellen Taite extended their lead to 8-3, before the final's MVP, centre Louise Kelly, crossed the line for Mullingar's second try.

Kelly later helped herself to a second, and out-half Olive Butler also breached the tryline as the 20-point rout was complete, and Mullingar captain Niamh Kennedy accepted the Division 1 trophy amid wild celebrations.