Castlebar ladies rugby team have eyes set on league title

CASTLEBAR ladies rugby team are aiming to end 2014 on a high as they contest the Connaught League final on Sunday next, December 7, in Ballyhaunis rugby grounds.

Having set up the team from scratch in September 2012, the Castlebar girls have emerged as a force to be reckoned with in Connaught rugby. The girls made their debut in the league last year and ran out winners when they beat the Canterbury Warriors of Longford and Carrick-on-Shannon.

This year they are hoping to do two-in-a-row when they take on Buccaneers of Athlone. The club has had to wait four years for a team to achieve two-in-a-row and the ladies and Castlebar RFC are hoping this wait is nearly over.

The last time a two-in-a-row was done by a team from Castlebar RFC was in May 2010 in Crowley Park in Galway. On that historic day, captain of the men’s senior team Ruairí Hughes lifted the Cawley Cup for the second year running when they beat Sligo 26-18.

The Connaught league began for Castlebar ladies in October last and they faced tough opposition from Tuam, NUIG and Buccaneers. What was an exciting league with a few bumps along the way ended with Castlebar topping the table on 28 points.

Sunday’s rivals, Buccaneers of Athlone, also finished with 28 points but Castlebar are just ahead on points difference. Castlebar scored 24 tries in their six league games and while the first two games against NUIG and Buccaneers were shaky encounters, major improvements were made at subsequent training sessions and the girls played the last four games without conceding a single try.

Castlebar and Buccaneers have met twice already this year, with each team recording a win over the other in very tight games.

The team would like to sincerely thank their supporters to date and urge as many people as possible to get to Ballyhaunis RFC this weekend. They would also like to thank their sponsors The Castle Inn, Murrays Ambulance Service, Cuffe Car Sales, Divas and Studs Hair Studio, Elverys Sports and Rocky’s Bar.

Castlebar: Cathy Blake, Caroline Brennan, Claire Cuffe, Marcella Derrig, Emma Doyle, Martha Egan, Aileen Feely, Becky Gavin, Tara Grufferty, Kayleigh Hopkins, Kiara Irwin, Grace Kelly, Sandra Kenny, Noelle Kilduff, Yvon McNabb, Fiona Nic Ruairí, Joyce O’Boyle, Darwyn O’Halloran, Anne Marie O’Hora (vice-captain), Ursula Sammon, Caroline Staunton (captain) and Jacinta Walsh.
Coaches and management: Ger Prendergast, Christy Cusack and Jason Keane.