Bronze for senior women's team at Spar European Cross Country Championships
Ireland’s senior women’s team claimed bronze at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships yesterday (Dec. 11th) at La Mandria Park in Italy. Twins Eilish and Roisin Flanagan took 11th and 12th place and Mary Mulhare 27th, supported by Ann Marie McGlynn in 31st, Aoibhe Richardson in 46th, and Michelle Finn in 55th. This is the 5th time in 11 years that the senior women’s team has medalled at these championships.
Jane Buckley took 5th place in the women’s U20 race. Sarah Healy looked set to medal in the U23 race, but had to withdraw in the final lap with an injury.
1st National Trophy for Wicklow in Energia AIL Conference Final
Wicklow Rugby Club claimed its first national trophy on Sunday after defeating Galwegians 22-17 in the Energia AIL Conference Final. This is only Wicklow’s 2nd year in the AIL; and only 12 months ago they were at the bottom of the table.
Naoise O’Reilly’s try for Wicklow at the hour-mark proved crucial to Wicklow’s success. Also scoring for Wicklow were Meagan Parkinson, Sarah Gleeson and Beth Roberts, with Elizabeth McNicholas, Grace Browne Moran and Nicole Fowley making their mark for the Galwegians.
Meanwhile, the Division Final between Blackrock and Railway Union was postponed due to bad weather. It will now be played at 2pm on Dec 17th in Energia Park, and will be televised by TG4.
Cape Town 7s
Ireland lost a bronze medal to the U.S. in the HSBC Cape Town 7’s, but still climbed one place in the world rankings to fifth, meaning that if they maintain this ranking, they will automatically qualify for the 2024 Olympics (France, currently in fourth place, is already qualified as the host nation and so won’t take up a slot).
Ireland lost their quarter-final 14-7 to New Zealand, the eventual champion. The bronze final with the U.S. was closely fought but two late tries gave the U.S. a 20-12 victory.
Amee-Leigh Murphy was the joint-top try scorer in the Cape Town 7s, with seven tries; she also won her 50th cap for Ireland.
Ireland Women missed out on a bronze medal in Cape Town, but have climbed up one place to fifth in the @WorldRugby7s standings after two rounds 📈#Ireland7s | @TritonLake
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) December 12, 2022
Gaelic Football Club Championships
Defending champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne once again won the All-Ireland Senior Club Championship in a 0-13 to 0-7 win over Donaghmoyne Saturday. For the first time, the final was played in Croke Park. On the winning side Olivia Divilly and Chloe Miskell gave particularly impressive performances, kicking 0-5 and 0-4 respectively.
Meanwhile, Longford Slashers defeated Mullinahone 4-11 to 2-8 in the Intermediate Club Championship Final, also played at Croke Park. 2 of the Slasher’s 4 goals were thanks to Grace Shannon.
The Junior Club Championship Final between Naomh Aban and Salthill Knocknacarra was postponed due to the weather; it has been rescheduled to 1pm Dec. 17th at Kilmallock GAA.
FIFA World Cup 2023 Base Camp Confirmed
Brisbane has been confirmed as the Republic of Ireland WNT’s base camp for the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023. Manager Vera Pauw welcomed the announcement, saying that Brisbane was the management team’s first choice.
The 2023 World Cup is the first one for which Ireland’s women’s team has qualified. The team is now ranked 23rd in the world, its highest-ever ranking.
UEFA Draw Made for U19s and U17s
The UEFA Draw has been made for the U19s and U17s for the UEFA European Championship Elite Round Qualifiers. Tom Mohan’s U19s are in Group 5, and they will face Slovakia, Estonia, and Greece in the qualifiers hosted by Ireland. The U17s will meet Italy, Ukraine, and Cyprus in Group 6, with games hosted in Cyprus.
Brittney Griner Released in Prisoner Swap
U.S. Basketball star has been released from Russian custody in a prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had been held in an American prison for 12 years. Griner is reportedly back home and in good health.
Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.
She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
Women's FIH Nations Cup
Ireland lost their first Nations Cup game 2-0 to hosts Spain on Sunday, but bounced back today (Dec. 12th) in a 2-1 victory against Italy, thanks to goals from Naomi Carroll and Katie Mullan in the third quarter.
Ireland will play Korea at 9:45am on Thursday; a win will get them through to the semi-final on Friday.
