Women’s Munster Cup Result – Shannon RFC 5 Ballincollig RFC 12

With Ballincollig forced to concede home advantage due to a waterlogged pitch, the ladies found themselves on the road to Limerick for the second group game of their Cup campaign.

Having claimed four points last weekend and all other matches in Group A being postponed, Ballincollig were two points clear at the top of the group heading into this fixture.

Weather conditions made it a difficult game to settle into and with ‘Collig having the wind to their advantage in the first half they were anxious to register the points in the opening forty.  Just before the break Aoife Deasy got over the line to score the first try of the day. Breda Leonard split the posts to add the extras.

Both sides had their share of injuries resulting in quite a stop start second half but it wasn’t long before Ballincollig got on the board again.  The second try came from a superb phase a play.  Grace McNamara made a great call clearing the ball up field with Stephanie Downey giving chase, outrunning the opposition and kicking the ball on twice to touch down just before the dead ball line.  Shannon retaliated with a try to leave the score 12-5 heading into the final fifteen minutes.

The visitors were forced to defend in the closing moments but never looked like relinquishing their lead.  Emily Cleary must be acknowledged for her outstanding performance, bursting through the Shannon defence with immense power and speed on more than one occasion.

The win leaves Ballincollig six points clear at the summit ahead of two tough games against Nenagh Ormond and U.L. Bohemian.  But the two successive victories leaves them well placed in their quest to qualify for the All Ireland Cup.

Ballincollig face Nenagh Ormond on Sunday the 3rd of February at Tanner Park, kick – off 1pm.