top of page

Ladies Division 4 Match Reports

Game highlights and photos from the CYM Ladies Division 4 Team - 2017/2018 Season

CYM J1s vs Arklow RFC

March 25th, 2018

CYM J1s vs PORTLAOISE

February 25th, 2018

Final Score: CYM RFC J1s 5 - 17 Portlaoise

Our Division 4B women welcomed Portloaise RFC to CYM for the last league match of the season. Having faced an incredibly though Portlaoise side before the winter break, our women were excited to face off against this team again. Anyone who had watched the earlier test between these two sides would have thought CYM brought an entirely different team to this match - and they'd be wrong.

 

Having dedicated an incredible amount of time to training and to focusing on reducing their weaknesses, the CYM J1's have grown and improved as a team at a progressive pace over the season. Having lost to Portlaoise by a whopping 46 points in their first head to head, the difference between points this round shows just how much CYM has worked to come together as a team. Although they didn't secure the win, the J1's weren't too disappointed - It was a strong finish to a fantastic first season for the CYM J1s!

CYM look forward to facing Arklow RFC in the first round of the cup matches, at home March 25th 2018.

Photos by Nathan Flaherty of Portlaoise Rugby (Find them on the Portlaoise Facebook page)

NM Falcons vs CYM J1s

February 11th, 2018

Final Score:  NM Falcons 47 - 7 CYM RFC

Having faced an incredibly tough NM Falcon side earlier in the season, the CYM J1s knew that their next meeting would be a difficult one. Facing a drop in numbers due to illness, injury and trips away, the J1s normally strong fleet was working on a bare bones structure for this match.

Playing 10 aside, the NM Falcons took advantage of open space on the field and continually broke through CYM's line of defence. Turning the ball over at every chance, NM were quick to feed out to the wings. It wasn't until late in the first half that a quick pass out to CY's Aine Vessy lead to the first and only converted try for Y.  

Gaining momentum in defence in the second half, CYM greatly improved in holding up the Falcons. Although a few more trys were secured in the second by NM, it was not at the same rapid pace as before the break. An excellent front pack worked hard to successfully shut down many attempts by NM and also broke through the line when possession was regained. Hard efforts by the entire team helped to ensure the massive gap between points was not even greater. 

As always, CYM will take lessons learned from the experiences in this match and improve on for their final game versus Portlaoise.

Match Report by Kelsey Cunningham

 

CYM J1s vs Athy RFC

January 14th, 2018

Final Score:  CYM J1s 16 - 7 Athy RFC

The CYM J1s home pitch winning streak continues, with our ladies taking home the win today! History was made earlier in the year when the J!s played their first ever match against the girls in blue and white. Now, 4 months later, Athy faced a very different squad to the one they absolutely hammered earlier in the season.

In the time since their last meeting, CYM J1s have worked incredibly hard to become a force to be reckoned with. For many of our ladies, this season is their very first on the rugby pitch. To say getting to know rugby, play rugby, and love rugby is a steep learning curve is putting it lightly. Up for the challenge and always inspired by our !sts team, the J1s have taken every advantage in training to improve and grow as a unit. 

CYM were eager to be the first to leave their mark on the scoreboard. Having gained possession early in the first half, CYM pushed Athy further and further back into their own 22 until a try by CY was secured. It wasn't to be walk over however, as Athy put up an incredible defence, shutting down CYM multiple times and eventually adding their own points to the scoreboard. An earth-shattering breakaway try by our own Blathin 'the Bullet' pushed CYM further ahead. CYM defended a physical Athy side for upwards of 20 phases until the final whistle blew, leaving the home team victorious. 

Match Report by Kelsey Cunningham - Photos courtesy of Yann de Bot 

 

Portlaoise vs CYM J1s

December 3rd, 2017

Final Score:  Portlaoise 46 - 0 CYM J1s

CYM RFC travelled to Tougher, Portlaosie for the last game of 2017 before the winter break. This was never expected to be an easy game for our J1’s, as we knew a few familiar faces from the 2016/2017 Div 2 (now disbanded) Kilkenny team would be filling the ranks of the Portlaoise development team. A thinned out subs-bench due to injury and a loss of key Div 4 players to the Div 1 team meant an uphill battle for our women before they even touched the pitch.

 

An incredibly physical match right from the get go, Portlaoise were quick to gain and retain possession of the ball. Despite their hardest efforts, any CYM possession was quickly turned over as the pack struggled to defend against strong breakaways by their forwards and centers. With the backs being rotated due to injury, CYM found it difficult to gel and cover the gaps. Regardless, the girls in green took on the challenge with unwavering conviction, fighting relentlessly until the very last second.

As is often the case in rugby, the final score of this game does not reflect the hard work and effort displayed out on the pitch. Our J1 girls have worked tirelessly to come together as a team during this season. What began as a mixed-mashed group of random girls has now developed into a strong, cohesive unit and we have no doubt these ladies will become a force to be reckoned with as time continues.

 

The CYM J1s would like to thank the Portlaoise coach, as his post-match comments noting the hard work and effort of our team were well received and uplifting after such a difficult game.

 

Match Report by Kelsey Cunningham - Photos courtesy of Aine Matthews and Rosie Palmer

 

CYM J1s vs Rathdrum

November 26th, 2017

Final Score: CYM RFC J1s 24 - 10 Rathdrum

A monumental day for CYM - The J1’s have secured their first ever WIN!

Having come so close to victory in the away leg of this fixture and after some stirring displays in recent weeks against hardened opposition, the CYM girls were targeting this match for a big performance.

 

From the start, hard running by the forwards caused great trouble for Rathdrum. Orlaith McCauliffe and Eilis O'Reilly in particular stood out with a series of barnstorming runs. Pressure built on Rathdrum and it lead eventually to outhalf Ciara McClean, diving through tackles to score. The game was played at a frantic pace and was end to end. Within a few minutes of scoring, CYM were under their own posts after conceding but a great kick from Evelyn Clinton chased by Kelsey Cunningham soon put CYM back in Rathdrum territory. A Rathdrum lineout on their own line was put under great pressure from Tara Hendley, the ball bobbled around before McCauliffe dived onto it for CY's second score. Rathdrum came roaring back to score again though and CY were going to have to work hard to win this match.

 

Going into the second half, CY knew how important the next score was and it was CY who made the first break. Again, some great running from the forwards gave McClean the platform to pepper the Rathdrum back 3 with kicks that they couldn't deal with. With Rathdrum unable to get out of their 22, CY were bound to score and it was Orla Young who found herself the space to run around the defence and get her first try for the club. McClean nailed the difficult touchline conversion but CYM weren't finished looking for scores. From a series of almost twenty rucks inside the Rathdrum 22, scrum half Eileen O'Connor was able to pick and go past the exhausted defence to score. With a full bench to call upon, CY were able to continually replace tired legs with fresh ones and it was this squad depth that made a huge difference in the match.

 

The final whistle sent the girls into raptures at a thoroughly deserved victory and to have their first ever win under the belt will leave them itching for more.

Match report courtesy of John Conway, Photos courtesy of Monica Beresford

CYM J1s vs NM Falcons

November 19th, 2017

Final Score: CYM RFC J1s 0 - 35 NM Falcons

Breakdown and disbandment from a few of the Leinster Women’s teams between the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 season has made for some interesting team placements within the divisions this year. NM Falcons are one such team who went from playing our (then) Division 2 ladies last season, to joining the Division 4B pool this season. Although they lost quite a few of their key player over the break their team remains a wrecking ball within the new development division.

 

With this in mind, we knew no matter what that the game vs NM Falcons would not be an easy one. Reputation preceding them, NM played a technical and hard hitting match against the J1s. Our CYM women worked hard to defend against NM Falcons for most of the match. Although there were some lucky breakaways and close tries by CYM they were still unsuccessful in dotting down over the line. An unfortunate loss, but not a total loss as the experience gained from playing a team of this calibre will help CYM to improve their game and identify weakness in their skill sets; ultimately challenging them to become better players for the games ahead.

Photos courtesy of Aude de Casanove

CYM J1s Friendly Training Match 

October 22nd, 2017

Our J1 ladies were set to face Kilkenny at home this past weekend, but a lack of available players forced Kilkenny to concede. Already mentally suited and booted, the girls jumped at the chance to play a friendly against one another when Johnway sent the request. For an hour and a half, CYM faced CYM, working on enhancing both defense and attacking skills. Thanks to the girls for still coming down despite the cancellation, and thank you to you the Div 1 CY ladies who stuck around after their own match to cheer on and support. 

Photos courtesy of Ashley Harmon and Carla Dalton

Rathdrum RC vs CYM RFC J1s

October 15th, 2017

Athy RFC vs CYM RFC J1s - First Match of the 2017/2018 Season

October 1st, 2017

Final Score: Rathdrum 12 - CYM RFC J1s 10

Our J1 ladies traveled down to Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow this past Sunday for their second match of the season. Rathdrum were quick to put points on the board and were leading by 12-0 for much of the first half of the game. The second half brought a second wind to the 10 CYM players on the pitch and the ladies fought hard for a comeback. Newcomer Sonja O'Connor, with the full support of the J1s squad managed to secure not one but two tries for the girls in green (and purple). Final score at the last whistle was 12-10 to Rathdrum. Fantastic effort, ladies! You've all come a long way since the start of the season and you should be incredibly proud of yourselves.

 

​Photos courtesy of Aine Vesey

 

Final Score: Athy 53 - CYM 0

It was a proud day for CYM RFC as our Division 4B ladies took to the pitch in their first match of the 2017/2018 season.

For the first time in club history, CYM have two women's teams playing in the Leinster Women's Domestic Rugby League.

 

CYM faced a much more experienced Athy side who put up a very strong attack for most of the game. Despite the difficult opposition, our ladies put up a fantastic effort and had an unwavering sense of determination throughout the match. This game was the first ever rugby test for well over half of the starting team, with many of the girls only having a few months experience learning the game. The Div 4 ladies have a great foundation to build up from for the rest of the season.

Congratulations to Jenny Miggin, Ladies Division 4 Captain for leading the girls out on this historic day. Player of the Match goes to Erin Moorhead who played an immense game, dominating both attack and defense. Congratulations to our many girls who earned their first cap for CYM! #FromTheGroundUp

Match Report by Kelsey Cunningham - Photos courtesy of Orlaith Phelan

CYM vs Suttonians Preseason Friendly

September 10th, 2017

The CYM ladies took to the pitch in Sutton for their second preseason friendly versus Suttonians RFC on Sunday, Sept 10th. Congratulations to a few of our new girls who earned their first cap for CY! #HonTheY

CYM vs Wicklow Preseason Friendly

August 27th, 2017

The CYM ladies shook off the preseason cobwebs by playing a fantastic friendly against Wicklow RFC on Sunday, Aug 27th. Congratulations to the 10 girls who earned their first cap for CY, we're sure there will be many more to come!

bottom of page