Ennis U18.5 girls just pipped in thrilling league semi

It was heartbreak for the Ennis Under 18.5 Girls in the Munster League Semi Final at Clonakilty losing out on a score of 34-31.

After enduring a first half onslaught from the home team with Clonakilty scoring three early tries, Ennis fought their way back into the game and engineered two tries from Sadbh Finn and a conversion from Grainne Burke, which left them trailing 19-12 at half time.

The second half saw both teams attack with gusto. The dry day and hard ground ensured a lot of open rugby and both teams looked to spread the ball wide. The tackling was committed from both teams and scores were hard won.

The Ennis centre pairing of Orna Moynihan and Zoe Brown had a very busy afternoon. The Ennis backrow of Aoibheann Hahessy, Roisin Dillon and Jennifer Weston kept the Clonakilty backline under pressure.

Lead on by captain Anna Purcell, and with hard work from all players at the breakdown, Ennis gradually gained the upper hand and two second half tries from outhalf Grainne Burke and another from Scrum Half Emma O’Dwyer saw Ennis coming into the closing stages with the upper hand.

But it was not to be. A last minute try from Clonakilty, well into Injury time dashed the Clare women’s hopes and left Clonakilty as overall winners.

Ennis will learn and grow from this and will go into the upcoming cup competition knowing that they are one of the top teams around.