Mullingar women lose out to well established Division 1 side

Old Belvedere 41 Mullingar RFC 23

Mullingar's women had to settle for second best when they took on Old Belvedere in an away match.

The game got off to an eventful start with a knock-on from the Mullingar kick-off. Soon after a free kick was awarded to Mullingar and a re-scrum allowed the women to get set up in attack. Mullingar secured a penalty which No. 10 O’Sullivan-Sexton managed to slot between the posts, putting Mullingar ahead 3-0. Old Belvo made ground off their kick off, but Mullingar’s defence forced a knock on, resulting in a scrum. The home side won the scrum and Old Belvedere quickly responded with a try, taking the lead 3-5. After a series of great plays, at the water break, the score remained close. After the restart, the intensity picked up. Mullingar picked up a yellow card. However, the Heifers did not allow this to dampen their spirits and Treanor earned a Mullingar penalty which was unfortunately lost forward in a tackle. The women righted the wrongs and won a penalty in the scrum, which O’Sullivan-Sexton popped over to give the Heifers the lead once more.

Belvo swiftly regained the lead with a try under the posts, making it 6-12 after a successful conversion.

Old Belvo knocked on the ball from Mullingar’s kick off once again and the girls had a scrum inside the oppositions 22. However, Old Belvo won back the ball, and had some great play and managed to break the line scoring a try between the posts. However, Mullingar wanted a try of their own before half-time. After a kick over the top by Old Belvo, Young plucked the ball mid run and broke the line, running the length of the pitch. The tackle on Young just short of the try line was high and a penalty try was awarded. This was surely the try of the match! Mullingar went in 13-19 down at half-time. Half-time saw Daly come on for Flynn, giving her a well deserved break. It was Mullingar who got the first try of the second half, a pick and go from Mulcahy saw a pass to O’Sullivan-Sexton, who lit the burners with a hand off broke the line and she got her first try of the season, just left of the post which she converted beautifully. A lovely play from Treanor saw her break the line from the kick off with a skilful chip over the top to keep the ball in play. Old Belvo found touch at the half way line following a penalty, which Mullingar won back in the air. A lovely sequence of passes from Mullingar was cut short by an interception by the home side, which saw them make it to the gain line once more giving them the lead 20-26. A tactical jackal from Gallagher saw her break the line for Mullingar. However, the ball was lost forward in the ruck. Another penalty was forced and Old Belvo with a quick tap and go got over the try line once more in the corner, they failed to convert. The score line beginning to favour the home side, slipping further from the Heifers, 20-31. After a water break and some substitutions, Flynn for Coyle and K Gallagher for Lyons, the match continued with a high-tackle penalty on the newly introduced Gallagher. O’Sullivan-Sexton kicked for posts but unfortunately it fell short; she rectified this soon after when awarded another penalty from a more favourable angle, and slotted another three points over for her team, narrowing the score to 23-31. The game was dominated by scrums, penalties, and a strong defensive effort from Mullingar.

A try saving tackle from Foxe halted the attack on the left wing but Belvo worked the ball quickly across the pitch to the opposite wing and Mullingar’s tireless defence was not enough keep them out, widening the gap again, 23-36. The fresh legs of Dowling gave O’Brien a well needed rest.

A penalty for Belvo on the five' was worked well and Belvo secured one final try which to Mullingar’s relief they failed to convert, ending the match with a final score of 23-41. It was a hard-fought game with both teams displaying skill and determination on the field, but it was the home team that won the bragging rights today.

Georgia Young was awarded player of the match. Her try in the first half gave the girls a boost going into half-time, and was brilliant to watch. She made crucial tackles all day, despite trying out a new position as full back; I wonder will we see her here again! The Heifers will enjoy the RWC final on their weekend off, while preparing for Tullamore on November 5.

Team: Sinéad Gallagher, Susie Burzawa, Tasha Feery, Clodagh O’Brien, Sinéad Lyons, Eadaoin Liddy, Sophie Treanor, Kara Mulcahy, Annya Coyle, Ellie O’Sullivan-Sexton, Emily Flynn, Aine Hayden, Alana Norris, Ciara Foxe, Georgia Young, Judy Dowling, Kate Gallagher, Evie Daly.