Wilson’s take midlands and Leinster rugby titles
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Sinéad Bowers lifting the Leinster Trophy for the Junior Girls rugby team from Wilson’s Hospital School.Image 2 of 5
Diane Izekor about to touch down one of her winning tries.Image 3 of 5
Izzy O’Neill leaving the opposition behind in a thrilling finale.Image 4 of 5
Éabha O’Mahony showing determination in the game.Image 5 of 5
Cáit Clerk powers through the opposition.Success in the biggest provincial competition in girls rugby means Wilson’s Hospital School face Terenure RFC in the All-Ireland finals on April 26.
The Junior Girls rugby team from Wilson’s Hospital School started their campaign with a midlands regional blitz in Tullamore RFC. The girls began strongly in their first game against Killina, and had a four-try lead through Diana Izekor and Éabha O’Mahony. Killina fought back, however, and closed the gap just before full-time.
The girls continued to build with a commanding display against a well drilled Birr side, and Emma Wiseman and Saoirse Byrne shone in that encounter. Emma Wiseman, Sinead Bowers and Eva Cawley all scored.
The girls finished the pool with a tough test against Scoil Mhuire. The weather and ground conditions deteriorated, but that didn’t deter the girls as Cait Clerk, Emma Wiseman and Emer Donnelly all scored to take the team to the final.
They faced Birr once more in the decider. Diana Izekor from Kinnegad stole the show and scored two storming tries to seal the midlands title for the Wilson’s girls.
The side then travelled to Cill Dara RFC to compete in the Leinster finals day. They played Eureka Secondary School from Kells in the first game. Outhalf Emma Harding and lock Ivet Paladini scored two pivotal tries to win the contest and put them in the driving seat.
Presentation College, Wexford posed an immediate threat with their strong running game in the second fixture. The Wilson’s side showed their resilience and determination to work through the phases to score two brilliant team tries by Catherine Dopeski and Sinead Bowers.
They finished their pool run and faced a Maynooth Post Primary side who played an expansive brand of rugby. Saoirse Byrne and Casey Foran helped the side to victory with a three-try cushion. They faced Dundalk Grammar School in the semi-final. Izzy O’Neill and Diana Izekor stole the show with their ferocious hits and brilliant tries.
They faced Wexford once more in the final, and it was arguably their best game. The Wilson’s girls were dogged in defence and explosive in attack. Diana Izekor, Emma Harding and Emer Donnelly touched down to win the coveted title.
It is an amazing achievement for the group and is the biggest provincial competition in girls rugby. They will now travel to Terenure RFC on April 26 to play in the all-Ireland finals. Congratulations to them all and good luck in the final.