CLONAKILTY defended their Munster Girls Clubs U18.5 League title, but they were pushed all the way in a breathless 14-try decider.

On a day when three West Cork teams lined out in the Munster age-grade league finals at Rockwell College in Tipperary, there was plenty to celebrate. Clonakilty claimed silverware at U16 and U18 level, while Skibbereen–Bantry Bay came up just short in the U14 final.

For Clon’s U18.5 side, this was back-to-back league titles, and this one was hard earned.

Clonakilty's Julie Finn in action in the U18.5 final. (Photo:Dan Clohessy/INPHO)

Facing a Killarney–Iveragh–Killorglin–Listowel amalgamation that had already beaten them during the league phase, Clon knew they would have to be at their best – and they were, scoring eight tries in a thrilling 48–34 victory.

After the Kerry side struck for two early tries, Clon responded in ideal fashion. Well-worked moves ended with Keelin McCarthy and Jo McCaughey crossing in the 16th and 19th minutes to bring the sides level.

Kerry hit back again with their third try, but Clon finished the half strongly. Flanker Ciara O’Driscoll powered over for a fine try before McCaughey added her second of the afternoon. With Lani O’Donovan converting one of the scores, Clon led 22–17 at the break.

Clonakilty's Claire Scanlan powers forward in the U16 final. (Photo:Dan Clohessy/INPHO)

Early in the second half, Julie Finn finished off a superb line break for Clon’s fifth try, with O’Donovan again on target to extend the lead to 29–17.

The Kingdom side dug deep and a converted try narrowed the gap once more, leaving just five points between the teams with 20 minutes remaining.

That was as close as it got. Clon’s class came to the fore as tries from Finn, Laura Sexton and Clodagh McCarthy – with two further conversions from O’Donovan – pushed them clear at 48 points. Two late Kerry tries added gloss to the scoreboard, but Clon were deserving winners, completing a memorable double after the U16s’ earlier success.

Clonakilty's Emily Williamson (left) and Rachel Buttimer celebrate winning the U16 final. (Photo:Dan Clohessy/INPHO)

***

Despite trailing 14–10 at half-time, Clonakilty showed their quality to capture the U16 title, eventually seeing off Richmond–Scarriff 27–21 after an end-to-end contest.

Clon made a flying start, running in back-to-back unconverted tries in the eighth and 13th minutes through winger Jenny O’Donnell and number eight Isabelle Aherne – both players would go on to score two tries apiece.

Skibbereen-Bantry Bay's Jasmin Deane comes up against Isabelle O'Carroll of Shannon in the U14 final. (Photo:Dan Clohessy/INPHO)

The Limerick–Clare amalgamation stayed composed, however, and converted tries from out-half Eden Waters and Gracie Walters handed Richmond–Scarriff a four-point lead at the interval.

Clon struck early in the second half as Rachel Buttimer powered over in the 38th minute and added the conversion to put the West Cork side back in front, 17–14.

Further tries from O’Donnell and Aherne opened up a 27–14 lead and put Clon firmly in control. A late Richmond–Scarriff try narrowed the margin, but it wasn’t enough to deny Clon the first leg of their double.

Clonakilty's Clodagh McCarthy scores a try in the U18.5 final. (Photo:Dan Clohessy/INPHO)

***

There was no silverware for Skibbereen–Bantry Bay in the U14 final, as the West Cork amalgamation fell 28–12 to Shannon.

After the Limerick side scored the opening try, Skibbereen–Bantry Bay hit back through Libby Hicks, who touched down under the posts and converted her own try to level matters at 7–7. Shannon regained the lead with another try just before half-time to make it 14–7.

The eventual winners took control after the break, adding two further tries to stretch their advantage. Skibbereen–Bantry Bay kept fighting to the end and were rewarded with the final try of the game, while Isabella Wood was named player of the match despite defeat.