The Irish Under-18 Women’s 7s Team were the winners at the inaugural Home Nations Sevens Tournament at the Peffermill Playing Fields, Edinburgh, on the 7th & 8th July. A two-series tournament, which is designed to give players experience on the international stage, will conclude in Birmingham on 20-22 July.
The U18 Women’s 7s team were flawless at the weekend, remaining unbeaten over the five games played and bagged 25 tries on the way.
In their first game of the tournament, Ireland beat England 28-19 with tries from Beibhinn Parsons (Ballinasloe RFC), Megan Burns (Tullamore RFC), Anna Doyle (Tullow RFC) and Aoibheann Reilly (Ballinasloe RFC). It was England who stole the early lead in the match but the girls in green appeared unfazed and captain Anna Doyle showed great leadership to steady the ship on to the eventual win.
Following this, Ireland faced Wales and again emerged victorious, a final score of 29 points to 5, with Ballinasloe Rugby Club’s, Beibhinn Parsons, scoring a hat-trick.
Congrats Fethard’s Dorothy Wall & Munster Squad players on the winning Ireland Women’s U18 Rugby Sevens who won Home-nations Cup @ Edinburgh beating England in the Final. Congrats girls & all the coaching team. Great achievement & thanks @IrishRugby @MunsterWomen @Munsterrugby pic.twitter.com/mBJ8S3nvCR
— Fethard RFC (@fethard_rfc) July 9, 2018
In the final pool game, Ireland sealed their place as top seeds as they finished out comfortable winners over Scotland; score 47-10.
Ireland faced Wales in the semi-final. After a close first half, Ireland pushed on in the second half to become eventual winners with a 29-14 win. Anna Doyle scored two tries and Lucinda Kinghan (Monaghan RFC), Kelly McCormill (Monaghan RFC) and Megan Burns crossed the whitewash for the other scores. This win saw Ireland cement their place in the final.
In the final, the Irish team beat England 19-10 in fierce contest. After scampering into a 14-0 lead, thanks to tries from Beibhinn Parsons and Lucinda Kinghan, Maggie Boylan (Carrick-On-Suir RFC) then came off the bench to seal victory for Ireland.
Squad:
| Name | Club |
| Maggie Boylan | Carrick-On-Suir RFC |
| Lily Brady | Westport RFC |
| Megan Burns | Tullamore RFC |
| Meabh Deely | Ballinasloe RFC |
| Anna Doyle | Tullow RFC |
| Alexandra Dunne | Denston College |
| Molly Fitzgerald | Navan RFC |
| Lucinda Kinghan | Monaghan RFC |
| Kelly McCormill | Monaghan RFC |
| Beibhinn Parsons | Ballinasloe RFC |
| Aoibheann Reilly | Ballinasloe RFC |
| Dorothy Wall | Fethard RFC |
Have you a young girl interested in giving rugby a try? The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) have 38 clubs across the country which will participate in hosting the ‘Give It A Try’ program this summer.