SEVEN Ulster women featured in a Wolfhounds selection that came from 10-0 down to defeat Irish rivals Clovers 21-15 in the opening game of the Celtic Challenge at Musgrave Park, Cork.
The women’s cross-border annual competition is designed to develop players from Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The competition, in its second year, involves six teams in an extended format, with two from each participating nation.
The Wolfhounds contain players from Leinster and Ulster while the Clovers feature those from the other Irish provinces, Munster and Connacht.
Ulster had Niamh Marley (Dungannon RFC/Cooke RFC), Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Railway Union), Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere), Keelin Brady (Railway Union), and Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere) in the starting XV with Maebh Clenaghan (Queen’s University) and Ella Durkan (Blackrock College) among the replacements.
It was nip and tuck throughout a defence-dominated first half, the only score coming late on when the Clovers’ maul exploded into life and impressive 18-year-old hooker Beth Buttimer crossed to make it 5-0.
The Connacht-Munster selection, coached by Ireland Women’s scrum coach Denis Fogarty, added a second unconverted try when replacement scrum half Ailsa Hughes sniped over following another dominant lineout drive.
Inspired by captain Hannah O’Connor and the excellent Aoife Wafer, Neill Alcorn’s Wolfhounds turned the tables with a run of scores from Ireland forwards Linda Djougang (63 minutes), Sarah Delaney (69), and Eimear Corri (77) to push ahead.
Nikki Caughey, the Energia All-Ireland League’s top points scorer this season, converted all three tries to steer the Leinster-Ulster side to victory in this historic derby clash. Clara Barrett claimed a last-minute Clovers try from a Méabh Deely cross-field kick.
The Wolfhounds face their first away trip of the competition on Saturday, January 6 when they play Edinburgh (kick-off 2.00pm). The Clovers will look to bounce back against Wales’ Brython Thunder at Energia Park (kick-off 2.30pm), with both games live on RugbyPass TV.
Fiona Tuite
Top picture (by Front Row Union): Sophie Barrett
