Before I get to the match report I’d like to start with a few words on Rosie Stewart after whom the Ulster Women’s Senior Cup is named. The cup competition is dedicated to her honour after her untimely passing.
The Rosie Stewart Bowl
As luck would have it, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Tony Kennedy on Friday night after the Ulster game in Galway. Tony was the Ireland Women’s Manager around the year 2000 when Rosie Stewart, or Gallagher as she was then, played for Ireland.
It was a time of Ulster dominance in women’s rugby with the likes of Joy Sparkes, Suzanne Fleming, Rachel Reid, Lorraine Noade and, of course, Rosie playing for Ulster and Ireland. Ulster won the inter-provincials at the time and Cooke won the All Ireland League and Cup in successive years.
I asked Tony on his memories of Rosie, a player who meant so much to her team-mates.
Rosie was a lovely girl, the epitome of rugby, she always made sure that the team was organised and worked together.
As a player she gave the opposition nothing, nothing, she got down and dirty, a real wing forward.
My lasting memory of Rosie however would be her songs, she loved to sing and organised the song sheets for the Irish girls. She loved to sing “Her Eyes” and her eyes always will shine, a lovely girl.
Tony Kennedy
And so to the game, and I’m sure it’s one that Rosie would have enjoyed, with both teams getting down and dirty from the off.
Enniskillen enjoyed the early play and their pack looked to be getting on top as they kept Queen’s pinned in their own half. An early chance at a penalty was just pushed wide but the hard working ‘Skins side continued to keep the pressure on.
However Queen’s eventually got their break with the talented Jemma Jackson spotting a gap in defence to outpace the defence and score under the posts. Jackson added the conversion and Queen’s led 7 – 0 somewhat against the run of play.
With their tails up Queen’s started to move the ball at every opportunity and despite some committed Enniskillen defence the ball was eventually worked wide to full back Aoife Walsh who sprinted clear to bag Queen’s second. Jackson again added the extras and Queen’s led 14 – 0.
‘Skins tried to work their way back into the game and as the rain began to lash down their useful pack looked as though they were beginning to make some headway. However Queen’s last line of defence stood firm, with Walsh particularly impressive fielding the ball well in difficult conditions, and as the rain began to clear the Queen’s back line began to get on top.
And so it proved as Queen’s notched up their third try after a powerful run down the left from winger Kirsty Wright who crossed the line and forced her way inside to give Jackson an easier conversion attempt. Jackson obliged and the teams turned round with Queen’s leading 21 – 0.
The second half continued in the same pattern as the first with ‘Skins unable to convert their chances and Queen’s moving the ball quickly to stretch the Enniskillen defence. A lovely handling move, involving nearly all of the Queen’s side, ended up with Claire McLaughlin putting Walsh through a gap for the big full back to touch down for her second try. Jackson pushed the conversion wide but Queen’s were in control at 26 – 0.
The game was done and dusted when powerful prop Janine Mullan showed a deft touch to put Queen’s Captain Dayna Jost into space, Jost made no mistake, touching down under the posts. Jackson added the extras to push the score along to 33 – 0.
‘Skins worked hard to try and get some points on the scoreboard but they were denied by the well organised Queen’s defence and the excellent cover play and expert fielding from the Front Row Union Girl of the Game Aoife Walsh.
Final Score: Queens University Ladies 33 Enniskillen Ladies 0.
Queens University Ladies: C Mallon, M Fiddis, J Mullan, C Broome, D Williamson, D Jost, G McCutcheon, L Arthur, I Porter, J Jackson, G Cole, C, Craig, C McLaughlin, K Wright, A Walsh. Replacements: M Diffley, N Catterwood, K Gillies, M Lee.
