On Wednesday April 19th two Junior girls teams took part in the Munster Schools Rugby 7s blitz in Rockwell, watched by some of the girl’s parents who made the long journey to cheer their daughters on. The CPB Blue team played against Bandon Grammar, Cashel Community School, Presentation Fethard and St Annes Killaloe. The girls had 4 comprehensive wins with scorelines, scoring 28 tries over the four games. From the start there was a great squad performance with fast offloading, strong carrying and accurate tackling. This was textbook 7’s rugby and was exciting for all on the sideline to watch! In the game v Bandon Grammar tries were scored by Mary Fox, Grace Kingston, Leha Hicks, Belle O’ Donoghue and Annie Doody. Caoimhe McCarthy, Belle O’ Donoghue, Alice O’ Donovan, Grace Kingston, Mary Fox, Tina O’ Sullivan and Ciara Kelly crossed the whitewash in the second game v Cashel. Fethard saw Grace Kingston, Mary Fox, Seren Lehane, Lucy Donaldson and Caoimhe McCarthy score. While Grace Kingston, Alice O’ Donovan and Belle O’ Donoghue crossed the line in the final game. Nora Fox and Maggie Murray were also instrumental in this team showing impeccable skill at the ruck, especially in the jackal, constantly putting pressure on their opposition and robbing the ball.
The Bantry White team faced Sacred Heart Clonakilty, Kinsale Community School and St Annes Killaloe. After a difficult start to the day the White team grew into their games following some refinement of skills under the watchful eye of John Fox and Ms S O’ Sullivan. The girls grew in confidence, seeing improvement in their passing, tackling and putting more pressure on the rucks. Soon the girls were making breaks up the field which resulted in a try by Emma Barry, who will be a player to watch next year. Leah Barry, Laura Cronin and Ellie O’ Connor brought the experience to this team and really stood up as leaders against very tough opposition. Ella Foley, Ava O’ Brien and Sophie O’ Shea continue to show a natural aptitude for the game, especially on the break. The extra game time allowed Nicol Lenazun, Aoife Myler and Keelyn O’ Connor work on their ball carrying skills. Nicol in particular was instrumental in moving the team up the pitch. Helena O’ Sullivan and Eimear Cronin both proved to be fast on their feet and have “a step” that makes them difficult for the opposition to catch.
This competition wrapped up girls’ rugby in CPB for 2022/23. There has been an increase in the number of girls representing the school in rugby, they are playing at a higher level than we have seen before, for the first time we were able to enter a team in the Girls Junior Cup and for the most part all of the girls are enjoying the experience. We look forward to starting back to training in September, with new and returning players always welcome. The future is bright and we can’t wait to see what these girls will achieve in the 2023/24 school year.
