UL-Bohemian players help inspire Clovers to Celtic Challenge win over Wolfhounds

SEVERAL UL-Bohemian players, including Ireland Under-20 hooker Beth Buttimer who bagged a brace of tries, impressed as the Clovers triumphed 31-10 over the Wolfhounds at the UCD Bowl in the Celtic Challenge.

In securing an impressive victory, Denis Fogarty’s Clovers side managed to avenge their 33-7 first round defeat to their Irish rivals just six days previously.

The addition of three Ireland internationals to the Clovers’ starting pack had the desired impact, as a late first-half surge netted them tries from Ivana Kiripati and player-of-the-match Buttimer, of UL-Bohemian and Munster.

The Wolfhounds took an early 10 points lead through Ireland Under-18 player Alma Atagamen and dual international Vicky Elmes Kinlan, before the Clovers gradually converted their possession into points to lead 12-10 at half-time.

It was 31 points and five tries without reply in the end, as the defending champions struggled to contain their opponents’ maul. Buttimer and equally impressive lock Jane Neill were both driven over, the latter pocketing the bonus point in the 65th minute.

Hannah Clarke added a well-taken intercept effort to seal a huge result for the Clovers who play Gwalia Lightning from Wales in next Saturday’s Kingspan Stadium double header. The Wolfhounds will aim to bounce back against Glasgow Warriors.

SCORERS: Clovers: Tries: Ivana Kiripati, Beth Buttimer 2, Jane Neill, Hannah Clarke; Cons: Nicole Fowley 3
Wolfhounds: Tries: Alma Atagamen, Vicky Elmes Kinlan

CLOVERS: Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht); Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Ellen Boylan (Blackrock College RFC/Munster), Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster) (capt), Hannah Clarke (Galwegians RFC/Connacht); Nicole Fowley (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC); Siobhán McCarthy (Railway Union RFC/Munster), Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster), Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Jane Neill (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht), Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere RFC/Munster), Ivana Kiripati (Creggs RFC/Connacht). Replacements used:Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Railway Union RFC/Ulster) for McGrath (half-time), Jemima Adams Verling (Creggs RFC/Connacht) for McMahon (62 mins), Emily Gavin (Railway Union RFC/Connacht) for Buttimer, Grainne Burke (UL Bohemian RFC) for McCarthy, Chisom Ugwueru (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) for McInerney (all 66), Faith Oviawe (Railway Union RFC/Connacht) for Neill (67), Grainne Moran (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) for Lane, Aoife Corey (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) for Deely (both 74).

WOLFHOUNDS: Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC); Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC), Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC), Amy Larn (Athy RFC/Leinster); Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Katie Whelan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster); Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Maebh Clenaghan (Queen’s University RFC/Cooke RFC/Ulster), Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan RFC), Poppy Garvey (Railway Union RFC/Connacht), Molly Boyne (Railway Union RFC/Leinster), Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC/Ulster) (capt), Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster). Replacements used: Caoimhe Molloy (Wicklow RFC/Leinster) for Djougang, Erin McConnell (Wicklow RFC) for Whelan, Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair (Blackrock College RFC) for Garvey, Lucinda Kinghan (Railway Union RFC/Ulster) for Boyne (all 55 mins), Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere RFC) for Elmes Kinlan, Megan Burns (Blackrock College RFC) for Dalton (both 62), Kelly Burke (Mullingar RFC/Leinster) for Clenaghan (66), Tricia Doyle (Railway Union RFC) for O’Dowd (68).

REFEREE: Sam Holt (IRFU)