Westport and Ballinasloe Under 16 ladies met in Carrowholly today for the Connacht Cup semi-final.  Westport started strong with a try in the first five minutes by Ciara Sheridan.  Ballinasloe scored their first towards the end of the first half and converted with Westport closing out the first  half with a second try by Poppy Tunney Ware. Half time score was 10-7 to Westport.  

Ballinasloe scored two tries in the second half with Aoibhinn Lyons landing a Westport try converted by Ruth Conway.   Despite their valiant efforts throughout and particularly in the last 10 minutes, Westport were unlucky not to score and the game closed out at 19-17 to  Ballinasloe.   

Westports U16 girls can be very proud of their season with a Connacht League win and Connacht Schools Cup win.   Kudos to each and every one of them for their focus, team work and friendship, hard work and determination. 

Next step for many of this promising team is the Sacred Heart Schools participation in the National X7S Competition taking place on Wednesday, April 9th, in Dublin where all four provinces come together.  

The team would like to extend their gratitude to the referee, linesmen,  Core Fitness and Westport Rugby Club.  And the biggest thanks of all goes out to the coaches and management and all the girls’ parents who supported them on their outstanding growth and development through the pre-season, extra training sessions and playing season.  We look forward to seeing much more of this stellar Westport team into the future.  

@rugbyinconnacht @connachtwomensrugby