The Womens Carnival Round was held on the 7th of August. A stand alone day of fixtures for the women’s Premiership brought all the teams together in one location to compete for Premiership points. Each team played 2 fifteen minute a half games on the day. A wet and soggy Terenure College RFC was the venue this year, as the on looking Irish Banshees head coach, Seán McGrath was present to assess the talent at his disposal.
South Dublin Swans v Cork Vikings
The Vikings travelled to Dublin in buoyant mood hoping to come away with points that would keep them in the hunt for top spot on the Premiership ladder.
The Leesiders started with a point to prove having last played a competitive game back in Round 1 in Belfast. They locked 4 goals 4 in the first term to put a distance between themselves and the Swans, who registered just a solitary point.
The first half allowed the Vikings to set their range as they were far more clinical in the second. They shot 7 goals 1, with Shannon Stevenson bagging 5 to add to her 2 from the first half. Angie Crispe had a proud moment of her own as she scored her first Swans goal in a Premiership game.
The Vikings were dominant in the opening game with Annie Walsh once more getting a brace of goals and Amanda Brosnan playing a starring role for the Cork Women. Ciara Sexton, in her first game for the Swans, was their standout player.
Final Score:
South Dublin Swans 1 – 1 – 7
Cork Vikings 11 – 6 – 72
Ulster Kookaburras v Cork Vikings
The Ulster Women travelled south with an air of confidence having picked up wind in each of their opening 2 rounds of action. They were determined to repeat the trick once more on the capital where they came away with the spoils last time out.
Fresh from their opening game victory, the Vikings had the minutes in their legs and looked to kick on once more. Once more it was Shannon Stevenson and Amanda Brosnan who dictated the play for the Cork women. Each kicking a major in the first half to the Kooks 1 goal 5 behinds. Siobhan Sherrin scoring the Kooks only goal.
The second half took much the same shape as the first. The Ulster side, seemingly leaving their shooting boots at home, racked up the behinds, 4 more in total . Shannon Stevenson on the other hand was more accurate for the Vikings, kicking two more 6 pointers to propel the Cork side to victory once more.
A closer game than the 11 point margin may suggest, with the Kookaburras lack of accuracy allowing the Vikings to capitalise. Siobhán Sherrin and Aoife Halligan starred for the Kookaburras while Amanda Brosnan once more controlled matters in the middle for the Vikings.
Final Score:
Ulster Kookaburras 1 – 9 – 15
Cork Vikings 4 – 2 – 26
South Dublin Swans v Ulster Kookaburras
The final game of the day was arguably the best. The Swans, still searching for their first competitive victory of the season started fast. Sorcha Nolan scored 2 quick for goals in the first half, the second after some good ground work by debutant Aisling Henry. The hoke side raced into a 3 goal lead thanks to some tireless work from Ciara Sexton and the tough tackling Maria Josè in the middle.
The Kookaburras soon steadied the ship through goals from Lea Casey and Siobhan Sherrin once more and soon found themselves in front. This time their kicking didn’t fail them and the impressive Elaine Maguire also got on the scoresheet as the Kooks made sure of victory.
An admirable effort from the Dublin outfit, with Vanessa Sterry putting in a very good shift in the backline and Grace Quinlivan also impressive for the home side while Siobhan Sherrin and Elaine Maguire excelled for the Kooks.
Final Score:
South Dublin Swans 3 – 3 – 21
Ulster Kookaburras 6 – 7 – 43
A great day if Women’s Footy in Dublin which would have given the Banshees Management food for thought as they were treated to some great displays throughout the Carnival.