SIX MONTHS HAVE passed, but it’s a defeat that will still cause frustration, annoyance and possibly even anger for those involved.
A first-ever World Cup semi-final for Ireland Women last August was quite the achievement, but to be beaten so comprehensively by England in that knock-out fixture was a major disappointment.
The 40-7 scoreline simply didn’t reflect the Irish achievements up to that point, including a famous win over New Zealand in the pool stages. Philip Doyle’s side were better than they showed that day at Stade Jean Bouin.
There is a first chance to right some of the wrongs this Friday as the English visit Ashbourne RFC [KO 19.30] in round three of the Six Nations, even if some of the faces involved have changed.
The likes of captain Fiona Coghlan and centres Grace Davitt and Lynne Cantwell have retired, while Tom Tierney heads the new coaching team, but the bulk of the group remains in place.
Old Belvedere’s Jenny Murphy was used off the bench in that World Cup semi-final defeat but is almost certain to start in the centre this time around. While she stresses that she hasn’t dwelt on the result, there is certain motivation in the memory.
Click Here: hurricanes rugby jersey
“We let the game run away and normally if we come into half time and we’re down by a few points, that’s a position that we’re comfortable being in because we know we’re able to come back from it.
“Certain things didn’t click that day. It was the first time I was in a dressing room like that. It was quiet and it’s never going to happen again. We’ve already drawn a line under that performance.