Ulster Rugby vs Toulon

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23 ULSTERRUGBY
U18 GIRLS’
UlsterBranch
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT SQUAD (RDS)
In the opener versus Connacht, two tries from
Claire Boles and one from Maire Hanrahan,
along with two conversions from Erin Caughey,
saw Ulster come out on top 19-15.
Ulster then produced a magnificent
performance against Munster. A try from Neve
Jones, followed by some outstanding defence
(of particular note was Rebecca Rainey’s try-
saving tackle) resulted in a first ever win over
Munster at this level, by the slightest of margins.
The squad will now face Leinster at the same
venue on Saturday 1st November to fight it out
for first and second place in the series. Whatever
the result in the Leinster game, Ulster has
already shown huge progress since re-joining
this competition last year, after several years of
not being involved.
It is interesting to note the number of players
who have been involved in the Girls Schools’
Cup, while the improving skill level of the girls
is testiment to their coaches at club level. The
future looks bright with so many of the current
RDS squad at the lower limit of the age grade.
There is also clear evidence of a pathway for
players with two of the squad, Erin Caughey and
Kathryn Dane, recently representing Ireland at
U18 7s level and also being involved in the Ulster
Women’s senior squad during the summer.
Last Saturday, the Ulster U18 Girls Regional Development
Squad (RDS) travelled to Westmanstown Sports Ground, on
the outskirts of Dublin, to take part in an Inter-provincial blitz
against Connacht and Munster.
MANAGEMENT:
Darren McGuigan Head Coach
Neill Alcorn Assistant Coach
David Heaps Manager
Zoe Templeton Player Liaison
U18 GIRLS’ REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD:
Lucy Barr Collegiate College/Enniskillen*
Hanna Beattie Down High/Ballynahinch*
Claire Boles Collegiate College/Enniskillen*
Storm Cobain Ballyclare HS/Malone
Kathryn Dane Enniskillen Collegiate/
Enniskillen* Stacey Fluke Armagh Tech/
Armagh Alison Glass Collegiate College/
Enniskillen* Leah Gregory Bailieborough
Community School/Virginia*
Maire Hanrahan Aquinas/Malone*
Hanna Harris Bangor Academy/Bangor*
Lisa Henry Newtownhamilton High/Armagh*
Vicky Irwin Royal School Armagh/Armagh
Neve Jones Cambridge House/Malone*
Molly Lavery St Michael’s Grammar/Armagh
Emily Martin Strathearn/Ards*
Beccie McCauley City of Armagh High/
Armagh Bethany McDowell Grosvenor
Grammar/Malone* Leah Mudi Wellington/
Ballynahinch* Morna O’Hanlon Loreto
College, Cavan/Armagh Rebecca Pennell
Collegiate College/Enniskillen*
Rebecca Rainey Omagh Academy/Omagh*
Jill Stephens Down High/Ballynahinch*
Rachel Tombs Methodist College/
Harlequins* Erin Caughey Grosvenor
Grammar School/QUB* Sian McIlwaine
Sullivan Upper/Harlequins* Carla Rafferty
Royal School Armagh/Armagh* Zarah
Ryan Victoria College/Harlequins* Nicole
Watterson Glenlola Collegiate/Bangor*
Tammy-Lee Wood Hazelwood/Malone)
*denotes first season on RDS squad
If you wish to find out more about female
rugby opportunities in your area please feel
free to contact your local Female Rugby
Officer:
Great Belfast Area
Neal Johnston
07767 115 764
North Ulster
Glenda Mellon
07442 490 459
South Ulster
Zoe Templeton
07767 117 937