Tralee travelled up to Nenagh needing a win
following a defeat to UL Bohs in their first Cup match 2 weeks ago. Tralee had
played extremely well in a very physical challenge match last weekend against
Highfield and so were hoping to put their experiences into practice in this
tie.
Photo: David Condon
Photo: David Condon
Tralee, having won the toss, opted to play
with the strong breeze and started the game positively. The home side with a
much larger pack opted to attack the fringes of rucks however Tralee defended
well, driving them back on countless occasions with big tackles by Cleary,
Fleming and Murphy. Tralee were the first to put points on the board with
fantastic interlinking by the forwards, Fitzpatrick making the break with the
ball finally being touched down by the outstanding Fleming and duly converted
by Brick. Tralee could not have asked for a better start to the game but knew
they would have to keep the concentration levels up and continue to attack the
Nenagh lines.A big hit by Arthurs on
her opposite number resulted in the ball being spilled into the hands of Brick
who took off up the pitch with the try-line in her sights but was tackled just
short of the line. Tralee played the better rugby for the remainder of the
first half and their defensive lines remained unbeaten.
It was no doubt a game of two halves, with
Tralee being slow to settle in the second half. Things weren’t going Tralee’s
way with the penalty count rising in favour of the home side and with the loss
of Leen to the bin. Nenagh slipped in for an unconverted try following their
scrum on the 5metre line, despite a great tackle by Lynch on her opposite
number.However Tralee continued to
defend well and keep the Nenagh attack at bay with Slattery gathering every
ball that came her way and Barry making several tremendous try-saving tackles
on her wing, despite carrying a rib-injury. It was not to be Tralee’s day with
the home side grabbing a lucky injury time try despite some incredible
defending by Tralee.
Team: Breda Slattery, Eimear Foley, Laura O’Mahony,
Christine Arthurs (Capt), Michelle Barry, Lisa Brick, Shauna Lynch, Noreen
Cleary, Leanne McCarthy, Aoife Ni Shuilleabhain, Maire Mann, Lisa Marie Murphy,
Niamh Dempsey, Trish Fitzpatrick, Siobhan Fleming.
Ladies 
