Tallaght slip up to Portlaoise

TALLAGHT Rugby Club’s women’s side took on Portlaoise last weekend in the Division 5 and 6 cup in what was unfortunately a losing effort.

Tallaght were immediately at a disadvantage being able to field only ten players, just meeting the minimum standard of players needed to avoid forfeiting the game.

Along with the numbers disadvantage, the side had to overcome horrendous conditions with wind and freezing rain present on the day.

Portlaoise scored the opening try of the game to make it 5-0 and looked to have doubled their lead moments later though the second attempt was disallowed due to a forward pass.

Tallaght would hit back with a try of their own shortly after. Lousie Leonard Flood kicked the ball ahead with Eileen Shanahan showing excellent pace to touch the ball down for a try to tie the game at 5-5.

This level scoreline would not last for long however as Portlaoise soon found themselves back ahead with the score set at 12-5 in their favour at the interval.

Tallaght competed gamely in the second half. Martina Fizpatrick was rendered unable to run due to an ankle injury but alas with no subs on the bench she bravely stayed on the field.

Lousie Leonard Flood highlighted her footballing skills as she expertly controlled a low pass, flicking it up with her heel which was outstanding given the conditions the manouvre was performed in.

She was involved again in a move that was almost an exact replica of their first half try as she kicked a ball forward which Shanahan was again able to run onto and convert for Tallaght’s second try of the game.

Abbie Keeley was on hand to score the conversion and level the game at 12 points each.

Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Tallaght and Portlaoise made changes to their team with the fresh legs of the substitutes having a huge impact.

They would score four tries in the final 15 minutes of the game as the final score ended up 38-12 in their favour.

Stand in coach Ken McGovern was proud of the performance of his players nonetheless.

“We’d only ten players but we showed up and competed well for three quarters of the match. Unfortunately the numbers told in the end, especially with Martina basically playing on one leg. But because we fielded a side we now go into the Plate so a huge thanks to the players for coming out.”