Irish Women See Off Italy For Winning Start

Ireland’s Women’s side got their RBS Six Nations campaign off to a flying start as they defeated Italy 19-0 at St. Mary’s College on Friday.

2008 RBS WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS: Friday, February 1

IRELAND WOMEN 19 ITALY WOMEN 0, St. Mary’s College RFC

Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Jess Limbert, Germaine Healy, Sinead Ryan; Cons: Jo O’Sullivan, Grace Davitt
Italy: –

Ireland will travel to Paris next week high in confidence after defeating Italy in their opening Six Nations game.

A 15-minute scoring blitz early in the second half was enough to secure victory for the home team who were frustrated by a tough Italian defence in the opening period at a bitterly cold Templeville Road.

Despite owning the ball in the opening half, Ireland were held back by strong defending from the visitors. Right after the break however Ireland signalled their intention with an early try from Ulster hooker Jess Limbert who crashed over following a fine driving maul by the Irish pack.

Ireland stayed on the attack and ten minutes later, second row Germaine Healy, who was impressive throughout, touched down again following more fluid attacking play.

Joanne O’Sullivan, who converted Healy’s try, set up Ireland’s final score of the game on the 60 minute mark with a superb pass to flanker Sinead Ryan who dived under posts.

Grace Davitt added the extra two points to wrap up the win for the home team. The comfortable lead allowed Ireland coach John O’Sullivan to clear his bench with five new players being capped.

Afterwards O’Sullivan said he was pleased with his side’s resilience, explaining: “It was a tough first half for certain and there was a lot of rust there on our part. We hadn’t played together in a Test game for around ten months so that was understandable.

“But I was delighted with how we controlled the game in the second half and we really picked up the urgency and pace.

“Wins to start with (in a championship) are crucial and this was a good performance that we can build on. We did lots well but we’ve got a huge game in France next weekend.”

Ireland have never beaten France in the Six Nations but have been close in recent years, losing by just two points last season in Dublin.

With five players winning their first caps on Friday, O’Sullivan feels that now is as good a time as any to get that first win in Paris “We blooded new players against Italy and that’s key because this is a long tournament. We look forward to the next challenge,” he added.

IRELAND WOMEN: Sarahjane Belton (capt); Lynne Cantwell, Patrique Kelly, Shannon Houston, Grace Davitt; Joanne O’Sullivan, Tania Rosser; Fiona Coghlan, Jess Limbert, Marie Barrett, Caroline Mahon, Germaine Healy, Eimear O’Sullivan, Sinead Ryan, Orla Brennan.

Replacements used: Gillian Bourke for Barrett (61 mins), Amy Davis for Cantwell (69), Niamh Briggs for Belton, Louise Beamish for Rosser, Louise Austin for Ryan (all 71), Kate O’Loughlin for Mahon, Yvonne Nolan for Lambert (both 74).

ITALY WOMEN: Paola Zangirolami (capt); Marie Sanfilippo, Elisa Cucchiella, Flavia Severin, Daniela Gini; Martina Barbini, Sara Pettinelli; Silvia Gaudino, Jiuliana Campanella, Elisa Facchini, Valentina Schiavon, Anna Mariani, Veronica Schiavon, Silvia Pizzati, Michela Tondinelli.

Replacements used: Samantha Pagli for Facchini (half-time), Lara Fabbri for Gini (77 mins). Not used: Veronica Ceradini, Alessandra Mestriner, Greta Petese, Mirjam Keller, Giulia Bratush.

Referee: David Walker (Scotland)