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Garryowen FC girls that were at the final; Ava Shanahan, Emma Fox, Isabel Collins, Emma Brown, Caoimhe McGrath, Cailinn O Brien, Olivia Jarmul, Niamh Purcell, Grace Ronan, Meabh Purtill and Emer Purtill. Picture by Keith Wisemann Garryowen FC girls that were at the final; Ava Shanahan, Emma Fox, Isabel Collins, Emma Brown, Caoimhe McGrath, Cailinn O Brien, Olivia Jarmul, Niamh Purcell, Grace Ronan, Meabh Purtill and Emer Purtill. Picture by Keith Wisemann

Sport

First ever Garryowen FC Under 14s girls rugby team find great success

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Garryowen FC girls that were at the final; Ava Shanahan, Emma Fox, Isabel Collins, Emma Brown, Caoimhe McGrath, Cailinn O Brien, Olivia Jarmul, Niamh Purcell, Grace Ronan, Meabh Purtill and Emer Purtill. Picture by Keith Wisemann.

Garryowen FC wish to build on the success of this season and are inviting girls born between 2007 and 2010 to ‘Give It a Try’

The new team trained three times per week in both Garryowen and Bruff RFC grounds, playing a number of matches against teams from across Munster and eventually finishing top of their group in the league.
The new team trained three times per week in both Garryowen and Bruff RFC grounds, playing a number of matches against teams from across Munster and eventually finishing top of their group in the league.

The first-ever Garryowen FC Under-14 girls rugby team have had an impressive first season since being established in September 2021.

The Garryowen girls played their first contact rugby match at the Pat Lawlor Tournament in UL in October and, incredibly, won the competition.


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In order to build on their success, an amalgamation was formed with Bruff RFC. This guaranteed the girls to compete and play meaningful rugby for the season. They trained three times per week in both Garryowen and Bruff RFC grounds, playing a number of matches against teams from across Munster and eventually finishing top of their group in the league. 

The final was held recently in Ballincollig RFC and the new Garryowen team was victorious. The game was highly competitive with ‘Bruffeyowen’, as they became known, working hard at defence and showing class in offence. Meabh Purtill used her lightning speed to score four tries on the day. Quick thinking from Sophie O’Riordan (Bruff RFC) gained the team another and her try was converted by Alana Griffin (Bruff RFC), giving a final score of 27-15.

The bond between the Bruff and Garryowen girls was brilliant, creating friendships that will last a lifetime and surely future teammates in the red of Munster and green of Ireland. 

Garryowen FC wish to build on the success of this season and are inviting girls born between 2007 and 2010 to ‘Give It a Try’ – a beginners rugby training course starting on Thursday, May 5 in the Garryowen FC grounds in Dooradoyle. 

The course is an initiative of the IRFU, consisting of an eight-week programme run in selected clubs for girls aged eight to 14 years. Attendees will learn how to play rugby in a fun environment. 

This is an exciting time for girls rugby in Garryowen RC, with plans to build on the success of the Under-14s in all age groups by participating in competitions and perhaps even overseas events.

To sign up to ‘Give It a Try’ or find out more, contact Garryowen FC coordinator Bart O’ Brien at 086 104 2474.

For more information on Garryowen FC, go HERE

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