First Ever Rugby Game in County Donegal

Sunday was not the warmest of mornings but excitement and nerves filled the air as two teams, Letterkenny and Ballymoney warmed up for the first EVER ladies rugby game to be played in County Donegal. Ladies travelled from all over Donegal (Ballybofey, Letterkenny, Glenties, Ballyshannon and Donegal Town to name a few) to take part in this historical game at Letterkenny RFC.

The game which commenced at 1 pm got off to an excellent start for the home-side with a quick try coming from a speedy centre Clodagh Llewhellin and a perfectly struck conversion kicked by the scrum-half, Elaine Melaugh. A poor kick-off from the visitors resulted in a scrum for the home-side allowing Mc Melaugh to give a quick ball to the out-half, Laura Kenny. Due to miss tackles on the visiting side another quick try was scored by an accurate pass from Laura Feely to the out-half, which was again converted by Melaugh. Ballymoney came back at the home team with forceful drives from a powerful pack. A secure front row kept the visitors from advancing. A fine break was made by the visiting scrum-half and a beautiful, well constructed (but unconverted) try was scored despite the home team’s best defensive efforts. Melaugh kicked a superb ball up the field to restart the game. This created another try for Llewhellin which unfortunately was unconverted. Ballymoney’s heads did not go down. They restarted the game fighting and was able to prevent the home-side from scoring again in this half. The hits being put in, in this section of the game by both teams were exquisite, no tackles were missed and breaks from both teams were quickly shot down by the opposition. The referees whistle ended this half. The half-time score was Letterkenny 19, Ballymoney 5.

The away team started the second half. A clean catch from a tall Letterkenny flanker, Vistorja Vasileuska allowed the home team attack the visitors again. Fast movement and a tight support helped another unconverted try over the line of the visiting side, by Letterkenny’s out-half. Ballymoney hungry for a try quickly advanced on the home side. This attack was slowed down by a brilliant tackle made by the winger, Yvette Armstrong. Ballymoney kept moving forward, but Letterkenny showed its defensive power and unity as they prevented a try being scored by holding the ball up, after a fumble from the visiting out-half Melaugh retrieved the ball and booted it up the field. The chase was on, which resulted in another try for the out-half, Laura Kenny perfectly converted by Melaugh. Another try came to Letterkenny from the speed of the back line that was well supported by the pack. Llewhellin sailed over the line scoring her third try of the match. Ballymoney didn’t stop the fight but a well deserved try from Melaugh was scored in the last minute. She then sealed the deal with a spectacular conversion concluding the game: 

The standard of rugby throughout this intense, action packed game was excellent.  This may have been the first senior ladies rugby game in County Donegal, but it defiantly will not be the last. This vibrant youthful team has an optimistic future awaiting them.

Team: Laura Feely, Dearbhla Fox, Tonia Kiely, Danielle Gavigan, Mairead Mc Guire, Vistorja Vasileuska, Amy Call, Yvette Armstrong, Elaine Malaugh, Laura Kenny, Kerri-lee Murray, Clodagh Llewhellin, Alison Studdart, Carmel Egan.

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