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UCC Women's Rugby Continue Upward Rise
UCC Women's Rugby can look back on a hugely positive season of progress, reaching both the SSI Division 2 League Final and the SSI Tier 1 Cup Final, while producing standout individual performances at provincial and international level.
UCC Women's Rugby can look back on a hugely positive season of progress this year marked by strong performances and growth from an ambitious young squad. With over 60 registered players this season, UCC Women's Rugby is going from strength-to-strength
In Semester 1, the team finished runners-up in the SSI Division 2 League, narrowly missing out in a highly competitive final against University of Galway.
February saw the squad travel to Belfast to compete in the prestigious Kay Bowen Cup. Representing the club superbly in the 15-a-side competition, the team delivered consistent performances across the day to finish runners-up to UCD.
The cup campaign was a standout element of the season, demonstrating the squad's resilience, growth, and drive with some serious results:
An impressive 29–10 victory away to University of Galway.
A dominant 45–15 win over Dublin City University at the Mardyke with great support from the home crowd.
An outstanding 41–7 semi-final win away to University of Limerick, arguably the performance of the season.
These strong performances saw UCC reach the SSI Tier 1 Cup Final, the highest level attainable in university rugby, before agonisingly losing out to a strong and experienced UCD side
Reaching both a League Final and a Tier 1 Cup Final highlights the significant progress and reflects the continued upward trajectory of women's rugby in the club. Competing consistently at the top level is a testament to the players' hard work, commitment, and the strong team culture that has been developed over the last number of years.
Special mentions must go to Tamsin Gleeson, Leah Lyons and Ellen O'Keeffe for their contributions to the team's success, as well as to Jack Casey for his constant and unwavering support for the squad.
The team was proud to include six UCC Sports Scholarship recipients and one Quercus Scholar this season: Fia Whelan, Ellie Cournane, Miriam Murphy, Aoibheann McGrath, Niamh Crotty, Niamh McCarthy, and Lyndsey Clarke.
Representative success was a major highlight this season. Lyndsey Clarke featured with Munster in the Interprovincial Series and with the Clovers in the Celtic Cup, as well as earning selection to the Ireland U20/U21 squad for the Six Nations Summer Series. Aoibheann McGrath and Orlaith Morrissy were key members of the Clovers and Irish U20/U21 sides, while Amelia Green also featured with the Clovers. These achievements underline the depth of talent within the squad and the strength of the pathway in UCC Women's Rugby.
It's been a hugely successful season for this team, but no doubt the best is yet to come!