Latest news with #CelticChallengeCup
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Louth camogs on the winning trail too
Not forgetting the senior hurlers winning Division 4 of the Allianz League or the U17 hurlers winning the Celtic Challenge Cup. Then there's the senior Ladies footballers retaining their Leinster crown…but what about the third sport within the GAA 2027 amalgamation plans? Camogie has also been flying the flag for Louth, if somewhat under the radar. A few weeks ago the U16s lost out in an All-Ireland final to Mayo and just over a week past, the county U14 side won a Leinster Blitz Cup in Wexford, defeating Meath in the final. That win now puts the side into the All-Ireland Blitz series in August. For Sara English (Naomh Fionnbarra & St Anne's), along with her co-management of Maurice Rafferty (St Feckins) and Shane Fennell (St Brides), the cup success was a culmination of months of dedication from the young squad. 'We'd trials in January so they've been training up until the blitz,' explained Sara. 'In between that we've had a few challenge matches, there was a one-off match against Monaghan – that's part of the fixtures for this U14 squad - and we played in a blitz in Cavan winning two games and losing one. 'This was our first big blitz, the Leinster Blitz. It's one where teams have the opportunity to win silverware.' Played in atrocious weather conditions as the heavens opened and stayed opened most of the day as their first match was due to start against Meath, a game they lost, Louth won their next two games beating Wicklow and Carlow to make the semi-final. "It meant that we'd be in a final; if we beat Laois we'd be in the cup final and if we lost we'd still be in the shield final,' she said. ADVERTISEMENT 'But we were going for the cup, there was no shield coming back to Louth. So we went out, beat Laois in the semi-final and then reversed the earlier result against Meath to win the final. They did fantastic and all the girls got to play and get some game time.' The recent success of the county camogs has gone relatively unnoticed, slipping under the radar. The fact is, camogie players don't get the recognition their efforts deserve and people don't realise the work they put in, particularly at county level and, irrespective of whether the results go against them or not, their efforts are equal to what others are doing. Sara acknowledged that was the case however, she was quick to point out that the development of the player as a person, was equally important and that is something they get with their particular squad. 'There are only seven clubs in Louth and we're a really small, and tight, community and these girls play in their leagues with their clubs against each other and it's lovely to see how many different friendships have been formed through the Louth panel and different clubs mixing with each other, little groups of friends,' said Sara. 'They mightn't have been friends on day one or day five or week five, but now they're friends and that's great. 'But the attendance at training has been outstanding. We have a panel of 30 and we've had huge attendance at training every week and that stands to them; it stands to the development of them. And there's the social aspect of it. We ran a half day camp over the Easter period and sure they had great craic at it.' The success too adds to the players own self-esteem, the fact that they have won, Sara agreed, is a boost to their confidence. 'Yeah, they were delighted and they were delighted it was a cup because you know a shield is great too, but I mean, a cup is the big one, even if it's in their own division, it's something to strive for, that we actually won the cup final,' said Sara. 'And now we go in August, to the All Ireland series… an All Ireland Blitz on Saturday August 9 and then to the All-Ireland Camogie Final on the Sunday and we get to march around Croke Park, all of the under 14 development teams in the country get to march around at the half-time break. So we will fly the Louth flag high that day.'
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lightning's Celtic Challenge title hopes ended by Wolfhounds loss
Celtic Challenge Cup Gwalia Lightning (0) 17 Tries: Parry, King, Lewis Cons: Hughes Wolfhounds (41) 48 Tries: Boles (3), Tarpey, Kinlan (2), Higgins, Corrigan Cons: O'Brien (2) The Wolfhounds moved one step closer to defending their Celtic Challenge title as they ended Gwalia Lightning's title hopes in a try-packed 80 minutes in Ystrad Mynach. The Wolfhounds ran in seven tries in the first half, as they put Lightning under relentless pressure. Wolfhounds captain Claire Boles scored the first try for the Irish side, before centre Leah Tarpey finished a break-away try under Lightning's sticks. A third try for Wolfhounds came inside the first fifteen minutes, wing Vicky Elmes Kinlan moving the Irish side into a healthy 17-0 lead. The bonus point was wrapped up soon after as Eve Higgins crossed before Boles scored her second try of the game seven minutes before the break. There was still time for wing Katie Corrigan to get involved in the try-scoring action, and for Boles to score her hat-trick try before half-time. Kinlan's second try of the game put Wolfhounds 48-0 up, before Gwalia finally showed some resistance. Rhodd Parry got Gwalia on the board with their first try of the game, and Lightning captain Bryonie King added a second try for the hosts under the posts. Gwalia wing Caitlin Lewis scored the game's final try, but the result had long been decided. Elsewhere, Clovers' win over Edinburgh means the 2024-25 Celtic Challenge will be won by one of the two Irish sides. Gwalia will finish the season in third place, regardless of results in the final round of fixtures. They can, however, dent Clovers' title hopes, when they host the Irish side at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday, 8 March. Wolfhounds can seal the title with victory on the same day against Edinburgh at Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin. Gwalia Lightning captain Bryonie King told BBC Sport Wales: "We're really disappointed with how the first half went, but I couldn't be more proud of the girls for how we came out in the second half. "As a team we are disappointed, we know what we are capable of and that second half showed it. "Now there's a lot of work-ons for next week and we'll be ready for the fight against Clovers." Gwalia Lightning: Jenny Hesketh; Courtney Greenway, Kelsie Webster, Molly Anderson-Thomas, Caitlin Lewis; Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Maisie Davies, Molly Wakely, Cana Williams, Paige Jones, Alaw Pyrs, Lily Terry, Catrin Stewart, Bryonie King (capt). Replacements: Molly Reardon, Dali Hopkins, Jenni Scoble, Erin Jones, Lottie Buffery-Latham, Katie Bevans, Freya Bell, Rhodd Parry. Wolfhounds: Amy Larn; Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Eve Higgins, Leah Tarpey, Katie Corrigan; Dannah O'Brien, Jade Gaffney; Niamh O'Dowd, Maebh Clenaghan, Christy Haney, Fiona Tuite, Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair, Claire Boles (capt), Molly Boyne, Brittany Hogan. Replacements: Kelly Burke, Tricia Doyle, Sophie Mcallister, Alma Atagmen, Poppy Garvey, Katie Whelan, Lauren Farrell McCabe, Anna Doyle. Jones retains Wales captaincy under new coach Lynn Ex-Wales coach Cunningham takes charge of Fiji Women Glasgow Warriors v Brython Thunder Venue: Scotstoun Stadium Date: Saturday 1 March Kick-off: 15:45 GMT Coverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online. Thunder have made eight changes as they look to bounce back from a 16-try defeat to Clovers last time out. Seasoned Wales international Gwen Crabb has been drafted in from Gloucester-Hartpury to bolster the forwards, with captain Natalia John still sidelined by injury. Jess Rogers returns to lead the side at number eight and is joined in the back row by Danai Mugabe and Lucy Issac. Props Stella Orin and Cadi-Lois Davies pack down with Chloe Gant in the front row. Niamh Terry is named at fly-half and partners scrum half Seren Singleton at half-back, while Hannah Bluck and Gabby Healan are preferred as centre. Hannah Lane starts at full-back with Ellie Tromans moving to the wing alongside Eleanor Hing. "We are a young and exciting squad who have showed real resilience and character at this level against sides full of international rugby players," said Thunder head coach Ashley Beck. "Glasgow are tough opposition on their home patch, but we are ready for the challenge and looking forward to putting in a performance to represent the jersey." Glasgow Warriors: Poppy Mellanby; Abi Evans, Nicole Flynn, Briar McNamara, Orla Proctor; Ceitidh Ainsworth, Mairi McDonald (capt); Poppy Fletcher, Megan Hyland, Eilidh Fleming, Aisha Zameer, Kate Yeomans, Freya Walker, Eilidh Macgilvray, Emily Courbrough. Replacements: Aicha Sutcliffe, Ailie Tucker, Alex Ward, Rowann Sinclair, Sophie Price, Rianna Darroch, Millie Warren, Roma Fraser. Brython Thunder: Hannah Lane; Ellie Tromans, Hannah Bluck, Gabby Healan, Eleanor Hing; Niamh Terry, Seren Singleton; Stella Orrin, Chloe Gant, Cadi-Lois Davies, Robyn Davies, Gwen Crabb, Danai Mugabe, Lucy Isaac, Jess Rogers (capt). Replacements: Rosie Carr, Lowri Williams, Katie Carr, Catrin Jones, Anna Stowell, Bethan Adkins, Hanna Marshall, Ffion Davies.
BBC News
15-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Celtic Challenge Cup: Glasgow Warriors 36-17 Edinburgh
Glasgow Warriors (19) 36Tries: Bell, McDonald, Yeomans, Evans, Norval, McNamara Cons: McNamara 3Edinburgh (12) 17Tries: MacRae, Ronald, Gunderson Cons: MacRae Glasgow Warriors secured their first ever win in the Celtic Challenge Cup as they defeated rivals Edinburgh 36-17 at tries from Gemma Bell, Scotland international Mairi McDonald and Kate Yeomans had the hosts in front at the break, despite efforts from Lucy MacRae and Aila a 19-12 half-time lead, Glasgow enjoyed the better of the second half too with Abi Evans, debutant Emily Norval, and player of the match Briar McNamara dotting Gunderson did score late for the visitors, but it was not enough to save them from a fifth defeat in succession.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clovers claim bonus-point win against Glasgow Warriors
Celtic Challenge Cup: Clovers (31) 41 Tries: McGann, Costigan (2), Lane, Nic a Bhaird (2), Deely Cons: Fowley (3) Glasgow Warriors: (5) 19 Tries: Fraser, Bogan, McNamara Cons: McNamara (2) Clovers made it five consecutive wins in the Celtic Challenge as they claimed a bonus-point 41-19 victory against Glasgow Warriors in Cork. The hosts had the bonus-point secured by half-time, after five first-half tries from five different scorers gave them a commanding 31-5 lead at the break. Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird and Amee Leigh Costigan, who both touched down in the first half, added further tries after the restart to wrap up the comfortable win. The victory sees Clovers remain in second in the table, four points behind Wolfhounds with a game in hand. McGann gave Clovers the lead on five minutes when she spotted a gap and darted through in the left corner. Three minutes later they had their second try as Enya Breen swivelled past two players and kicked to Costigan, who won the foot race to score in the right corner. Lane crossed for the third try before Glasgow replacement Katie Yoemans was then shown a yellow card moments after coming on, for a high tackle. Clovers made their player advantage count as Nic a Bhaird bustled her way over the whitewash with Deely also finishing off a slick move from the home side for their fifth try. Glasgow registered their first score three minutes before half-time, capitalising on a Clovers handling error as Roma Fraser touched down. The hosts scored again a minute into the second half as Nic a Bhaird burst over, but Glasgow responded with a try of their own from a driving maul as Hollan Bogan grounded the ball. Costigan got her second of the game as she raced down the right, evading a number of challenges before sliding over. Briar McNamara got Glasgow's third try after patient play, but the Clovers were able to see out the win.
BBC News
09-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Clovers claim bonus-point win against Glasgow Warriors
Celtic Challenge Cup:Clovers (31) 41Tries: McGann, Costigan (2), Lane, Nic a Bhaird (2), Deely Cons: Fowley (3)Glasgow Warriors: (5) 19Tries: Fraser, Bogan, McNamara Cons: McNamara (2) Clovers made it five consecutive wins in the Celtic Challenge as they claimed a bonus-point 41-19 victory against Glasgow Warriors in hosts had the bonus-point secured by half-time, after five first-half tries from five different scorers gave them a commanding 31-5 lead at the Nic a Bhaird and Amee Leigh Costigan, who both touched down in the first half, added further tries after the restart to wrap up the comfortable victory sees Clovers remain in second in the table, four points behind Wolfhounds with a game in gave Clovers the lead on five minutes when she spotted a gap and darted through in the left minutes later they had their second try as Enya Breen swivelled past two players and kicked to Costigan, who won the foot race to score in the right crossed for the third try before Glasgow replacement Katie Yoemans was then shown a yellow card moments after coming on, for a high made their player advantage count as Nic a Bhaird bustled her way over the whitewash with Deely also finishing off a slick move from the home side for their fifth registered their first score three minutes before half-time, capitalising on a Clovers handling error as Roma Fraser touched hosts scored again a minute into the second half as Nic a Bhaird burst over, but Glasgow responded with a try of their own from a driving maul as Hollan Bogan grounded the got her second of the game as she raced down the right, evading a number of challenges before sliding McNamara got Glasgow's third try after patient play, but the Clovers were able to see out the win.
