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Brave Irish effort pushes England all the way
Michael Gallagher12 Apr 2023 - 19:25
Ireland 5-14 England
A mighty effort from Ireland came up just short against England on the second day of the Six Nations Festival. Once again, all four of our players were on the pitch and turned in excellent performances.
The game began in a flurry of activity and early Irish errors allowed England to build some fast-paced attacking phases, with captain Sophie Mulqueen leading the charge. They put good width on the ball to release winger Connie Clarke for the right corner with just three minutes on the clock.
England had won their first two games on the opening day – beating Wales 10-0 and Scotland 21-0 – while also having a full warm-up match against the Welsh under their belts.
Their outside backs continued to look dangerous, and although a second crooked lineout robbed Ireland of a promising position, the forwards did sandwich in a drive that showed what a weapon their maul can be.
With Connacht’s Roisin Maher making an impact, Muldoon’s charges won a scrum against the head. Frustratingly, Ailish Quinn’s pass was ruled forward as Ennis winger Clarke missed out on a try-scoring chance.
Ireland were unable to profit from Hannah Clarke’s excellent 50:22 kick and a couple of penalties that followed, while England’s defence also held firm despite some neat link-up play between May Goulding and Lyndsey Clarke off a scrum.
A terrific burst from Connemara’s Molly Boote, off first-phase ball, also went unrewarded, as did Maher’s impressive offload, following an overthrown English lineout, which had flanker Gleeson threatening inside the opposition 22.
Instead, it was England who were able to double their lead in the 27th minute. Bridget Campbell and Ella Cromack injected pace from a tapped penalty, and a powerful carry from prop Amelia Williams got her over the whitewash.
It was very much a score against the run of play, but a key lesson for Ireland in converting pressure into points. They did deservedly open their account in the dying seconds, though.
Grainne Burke and lively runner Robyn O’Connor came off the bench to very good effect, and centre Linn was unfortunate to be pulled back for a high tackle on Finn just she accelerated towards the try-line.
England loosehead Williams saw yellow and the hosts continued to leak penalties inside their own 22, Buttimer and Ellen O’Toole chipping away with forceful carries before a determined Morris burrowed in under two defenders.
IRELAND: Hannah Clarke (Oughterard/Tuam RFC/Connacht); Lyndsey Clarke (Ennis RFC/Munster), Molly Boote (Connemara RFC/Connacht), Lucia Linn (Loughborough University/IQ Rugby), Emily Foley (Ballina RFC/Connacht); Caitriona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC/Ballina-Killaloe RFC/Munster), May Goulding (Hartpury College/IQ Rugby); Lily Morris (Killarney RFC/Munster), Kelly Burke (Mullingar RFC/Leinster), Roisin Maher (Creggs RFC/Connacht), Alma Obehi Atagamen (Balbriggan RFC/Leinster), Sarah McCormick (Ballina RFC/Connacht), Poppy Garvey (Sligo RFC/Connacht), Saskia Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Munster) (capt), Ailish Quinn (Ballina RFC/Connacht).
Replacements: Grainne Burke (Ennis RFC/Munster), Ellen O’Toole (Westport RFC/Connacht), Beth Buttimer (Fethard RFC/Munster), Beibhinn Gleeson (Oughterard/Tuam RFC/Connacht), Ruby Starrett (Larne RFC/Ulster), Orla Wafer (Enniscorthy RFC/Leinster), Robyn O’Connor (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Leinster), Grainne Moran (Ballina RFC/Connacht), Niamh Murphy (Cill Dara RFC/Leinster), Emma Brogan (Navan RFC/Leinster), Katie Corrigan (Tullow RFC/Leinster).
The game began in a flurry of activity and early Irish errors allowed England to build some fast-paced attacking phases, with captain Sophie Mulqueen leading the charge. They put good width on the ball to release winger Connie Clarke for the right corner with just three minutes on the clock.
England had won their first two games on the opening day – beating Wales 10-0 and Scotland 21-0 – while also having a full warm-up match against the Welsh under their belts.
Their outside backs continued to look dangerous, and although a second crooked lineout robbed Ireland of a promising position, the forwards did sandwich in a drive that showed what a weapon their maul can be.
With Connacht’s Roisin Maher making an impact, Muldoon’s charges won a scrum against the head. Frustratingly, Ailish Quinn’s pass was ruled forward as Ennis winger Clarke missed out on a try-scoring chance.
Ireland were unable to profit from Hannah Clarke’s excellent 50:22 kick and a couple of penalties that followed, while England’s defence also held firm despite some neat link-up play between May Goulding and Lyndsey Clarke off a scrum.
A terrific burst from Connemara’s Molly Boote, off first-phase ball, also went unrewarded, as did Maher’s impressive offload, following an overthrown English lineout, which had flanker Gleeson threatening inside the opposition 22.
Instead, it was England who were able to double their lead in the 27th minute. Bridget Campbell and Ella Cromack injected pace from a tapped penalty, and a powerful carry from prop Amelia Williams got her over the whitewash.
It was very much a score against the run of play, but a key lesson for Ireland in converting pressure into points. They did deservedly open their account in the dying seconds, though.
Grainne Burke and lively runner Robyn O’Connor came off the bench to very good effect, and centre Linn was unfortunate to be pulled back for a high tackle on Finn just she accelerated towards the try-line.
England loosehead Williams saw yellow and the hosts continued to leak penalties inside their own 22, Buttimer and Ellen O’Toole chipping away with forceful carries before a determined Morris burrowed in under two defenders.
IRELAND: Hannah Clarke (Oughterard/Tuam RFC/Connacht); Lyndsey Clarke (Ennis RFC/Munster), Molly Boote (Connemara RFC/Connacht), Lucia Linn (Loughborough University/IQ Rugby), Emily Foley (Ballina RFC/Connacht); Caitriona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC/Ballina-Killaloe RFC/Munster), May Goulding (Hartpury College/IQ Rugby); Lily Morris (Killarney RFC/Munster), Kelly Burke (Mullingar RFC/Leinster), Roisin Maher (Creggs RFC/Connacht), Alma Obehi Atagamen (Balbriggan RFC/Leinster), Sarah McCormick (Ballina RFC/Connacht), Poppy Garvey (Sligo RFC/Connacht), Saskia Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Munster) (capt), Ailish Quinn (Ballina RFC/Connacht).
Replacements: Grainne Burke (Ennis RFC/Munster), Ellen O’Toole (Westport RFC/Connacht), Beth Buttimer (Fethard RFC/Munster), Beibhinn Gleeson (Oughterard/Tuam RFC/Connacht), Ruby Starrett (Larne RFC/Ulster), Orla Wafer (Enniscorthy RFC/Leinster), Robyn O’Connor (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Leinster), Grainne Moran (Ballina RFC/Connacht), Niamh Murphy (Cill Dara RFC/Leinster), Emma Brogan (Navan RFC/Leinster), Katie Corrigan (Tullow RFC/Leinster).
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