History on the double at Dexcom Stadium
Ireland U21s try scorer Emily Foley (right) from Ballina is congratulated after the match by Siofra Hession. Picture: INPHO/Andrew Conan
The Green Wave rolled into Galway in force on Saturday for Ireland’s historic first ever Women’s Six Nations game at Dexcom Stadium.
That was not the only history made on the day as a record attendance for a women’s home game of 9,206 turned out to see the Irish side take on Italy.
This was the second week in a row that Ireland were part of a record-breaking crowd following their opening day clash against England at Allianz Stadium in London where 77,120 fans turned out.
The home crowd were full of energy and enthusiasm which helped the Girls in Green to an emphatic 57-20 win over Italy.
Scott Bemand’s side crossed the try line nine times, with Connacht and Galway’s own Béibhinn Parsons scoring a hat-trick and securing the Player of the Match award.
It was a nip and tuck opening quarter, with Italy enjoying some early possession, but Ireland crossed the whitewash first with Emily Lane dotting down and Dannah O’Brien scoring her first of six conversions.
Italy hit back with their first try of the game when Vittoria Vecchini scored but Gaia Buso missed the conversion to leave the score 7-5 after 10 minutes.
Ireland hit back with the inspirational Aoife Wafer taking the ball from the back of a scrum and driving towards the Italian 10 metre line where she won a penalty. Ireland kicked for touch and from the lineout, drove the maul to the try line where Wafer finished with a try and O’Brien converted.
Béibhinn Parsons scored her first try after Ireland won penalty advantage and played on, passing the ball through the phases until it reached Parsons who ran across the white wash. O’Brien added the extras and Ireland were 21-5 up.
Robyn O’Connor scored on her debut with O’Brien missing the conversion but Ireland were in the driving seat with a 26-5 lead and the try bonus point already in the bag.
The defence from the Irish side was superb. The Italians struggled to break down the home defence who were quick to every ball and ruck, making life difficult for the visitors.
Ireland won a penalty off a scrum on the Italian 22 and they chose to pack down again. Wafer again picked up the ball from the back of the scrum, breaking her way through with the ball passed out to Parsons who avoided the Italian defenders to dot down her second.
It was 31-5 with 30 minutes on the clock but Ireland weren’t finished as they added two more tries and conversions off the boot of O’Brien. Ellena Perry also scored after the TMO confirmed the ball was grounded after Ireland had knocked on the Italians door for a number of phases. Then Parsons crossed for her third after sublime passes between Stacey Flood and Wafer before the pass to Parsons who finished it off.
Ireland went into the break 45-10 in front and the Dexcom Stadium was rocking. Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald scored Ireland’s eighth try but the Italian substitutions helped to steady the ship and the visitors found themselves in more possession. Nine minutes into the half they scored their third try through substitute Veronica Madia. However, Buso missed the conversion.
Ireland cleared the bench and scored their ninth and final try when the impressive Brittany Hogan crossed the line and O’Brien added the extras.
Alyssa D’Inca ensured the away side went home with a try bonus point when she scored a great solo try to leave the score 57-20.
While the Irish players secured an important five points, off the pitch there was huge support with the fans actively involved in the action throughout the clash, encouraging their Irish heroes while also acknowledging the Italian visitors’ efforts. It was a great occasion with lot of families and groups of friends turning out in force and showcasing that there is a strong support for women’s rugby in the West of Ireland with the hope that more international games will find their way to Dexcom Stadium.
The senior international was preceded by the U21 Six Nations clash between Ireland and Italy where two members of Ballina RFC featured in Ireland’s 55-8 win against the visitors. Not only that, Ailish Quinn and Emily Foley both scored tries in an excellent win for the Girls in Green.
It was a proud and momentous occasion for Ballina RFC and further highlights the work being done in both the men’s and women’s games on Moyside.
