Ulster Girls Set For Historic Meeting With Munster
This Sunday will see a landmark occasion take place at Malahide RFC’s Estuary Road grounds as Munster and Ulster battle for victory in the first ever Girls interprovincial match at Under-18 level.
The Ulster U-18 Development squad have been training hard at Dungannon RFC for this weekend’s historic clash. 31 players were selected from previous trials and put every effort in this week despite the wet weather conditions.
Wednesday evening’s session in Dungannon marked the first time that the selected girls from both the regional squads (Belfast and Enniskillen) joined together to train as the new U-18 squad.
The sessions have been taken by Ulster Rugby Regional Development Officer Joy Sparkes and Schools Development Officer Nathan Moore, who both felt the need for these squads as a result of the significant number of U-18 girls playing in clubs around the province.
The excellent work done in the schools has provided a vital link in helping establish several new clubs in Ulster over the last few years.
It is hoped that this Munster-Ulster fixture will become a regular one – Sunday’s clash has a 2.30pm kick-off and the Ulster side have already received support from Ulster prop Simon Best, who will captain Ireland on their upcoming summer tour to Argentina.
Best said: “Best wishes to the Ulster U-18 Development girls on this historic occasion. Munster will be a tough assignment but I’m sure you will do Ulster proud. Good Luck!!”
ULSTER U-18 Development Girls (v Munster U-18, May 13): Ashley Baxter (Lisburn); Ashley Rodden (Carrick), Hannah Farley (Magherafelt), Vicky Coulter (Bangor), Laura Davidson (Cooke) (vice-capt); Rachel Lennox (Magherafelt), Emma Dines (Ballyclare); Laura Feely (Donegal), Aimee McNiece (Cooke), Vicky Barnes (Lisburn), Casha Wordlarski (Virginia), Katherine Hannah (Lisburn), Courtney Bell (Ballyclare), Jenny Dornan (Lisburn), Triona Johnston (Donegal) (capt).