Carlow Coyotes womens rugby side opened their All Ireland League season with a comprehensive 36–0 victory over Clondalkin on the road on Sunday.
With eight new girls on board, Carlow dominated the Dublin side from the start with their strong maul. This resulted in three tries in each half, with number six, Jenny Ardill successful with the three conversions. By half time Carlow were 17 points clear.
Maureen Young from full back had a field day running in three tries as scrum-half Meg Parkinson added two more, nipped in following good work by her forwards. The remaining try was scored by Jenny Ardill who defied her years with a storming game.
The only negative to the game was two serious injuries, including a leg break, suffered by Carlow players.
For a while it had looked as if the game wouldn’t go ahead as no referee had turned up. But Carlow’s Michael Carbery, there as a spectator, filled the breach to the relief all concerned.
Next weekend the Coyotes play New Ross in Oakpark.
For the men’s season, games get under way in the Leinster League on Sunday against Portalington (away). Carlow will be put to the test to try and get back up to Division 1B of the Leinster League (J1) having suffered relegation in the spring of this year.
Both J1 and J2 says are in action on Sunday afternoon.
Carlow Coyotes
Maureen Young, Nicole Carroll, Saoirse Fitshenry, Rebecca Mullen, Leona Kelly, Lisa Doyle, Meg Parkinson, Emear Murphy, Val Timmons, Erin Byrne, Lisa O Malley, Fiona Cantwell, Jenny Ardill, Teri Kruger, Joyce Mahon.
Subs: Caroline Byrne, Sarah Conlon, Michelle Matthews, Shelly Brennan, Rebecca Smith, Emma Baldwin.
