History will be made this month as Coláiste Muire Ennis prepares to field its first-ever Ladies Rugby Team in the Munster Schools Rugby Final.
The team has made an impressive entrance into the U19A schools cup competition and is set to face off against Sacred Heart Clonakilty Cork. With Joint captains Lyndsay Clarke and Ellis O’Flaherty at the helm, along with experienced players like Orna Moynihan, Sally Kelly, and Jennifer Weston, the team is very focused towards victory.
While Coláiste Muire Ennis has achieved great success in musical accolades, debating, volleyball, Gaelic Games and Athletics, the introduction of a Ladies Rugby Team marks a significant milestone. This new venture showcases how all students can get involved in sports, as rugby encompasses various components of health, including strength, power, speed, and agility. It promotes inclusivity and teaches players to show respect to all.
However, one challenge faced by the team is the absence of a dedicated kit. Ennis Rugby Club has kindly offered their kit for the time being, but Coláiste Muire Ennis is actively seeking sponsorship from businesses in Ennis and the surrounding area.
Teacher and team manager Gemma Hassett said: “This is a unique opportunity for businesses to contribute to the growth and development of young athletes in the community. By sponsoring the team, local businesses can showcase their commitment to supporting sports and empowering young women in sports. The sponsorship will not only provide the team with a much-needed kit but also help create a sense of pride and unity within the school and the wider community.”
“As Coláiste Muire Ennis writes a new chapter in its sporting history, together, we can make this March a memorable month for the team and celebrate the power of inclusivity, respect, and teamwork in the world of sports,” Ms Hassett added.
All support welcome on 13th March Musgrave Park in Cork at 2.30pm (TBC)
Panel
Orna Moynihan, Victoria Burns, Ellís O’Flaherty, Lucy Power, Ella Courtney, Lyndsay Clarke, Amy Butler, Fiadh O Shea, Keira O Neill, Caoilinn Cahill, Ciara Frawley, Jennifer Weston, Ellen Byrne, Eabha O Driscoll, Sally Kelly, Anna Byrne, Muireann O Mullane, Sophie Culleton, Anna Steigerwald, Mary McInerney, Ella Firzgibbon, Elisha Rowland and Sadie Shalloo Murphy
Captains: Lyndsay Clarke & Elliís O’Flaherty
Coaches: John Kelly & Frank Clarke
Manager/Teacher: Gemma Hassett