Port Dara U18s maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a very hard-fought win over Mullingar under lights tonight.
Allana Fitzpatrick got Port Dara off to a perfect start in the 5th minute with a break-through try. The conversion was coolly slotted over by Mairead Scully. Mullingar slowly got back into the game as Port Dara gave up a number of penalties but despite the pressure Port Dara were equal to them, particularly the second-row forwards Blathnaid Smith and Alice Cross. Port Dara extended their lead after 25 mins when Ruth Whittle crossed the line after sustained pick-and-go pressure near the Mullingar line. Mullingar continued to attack but the Port Dara defence was excellent and held on to their lead until half-time.

Half-time: Mullingar 0 Port Dara 12

Scores were hard to come by in the second half and the game resembled a good old arm-wrestle with neither side able to convert their chances and defences on top. Port Dara eventually broke the dead lock when a snipping break from scrum-half Mairead Scully released Amy Rushton with 10 mins left. At this stage Port Dara were emptying the bench and each of the replacements made an impact, no more so than Holly Bale who was unlucky not to set up a score following a brilliant run onto a kick through from Amy. Similar to the end of the first half, Mullingar continued to pressurize the Port Dara line, but the defence held firm to shut out the home team.

This was the second tough game in a row for the girls. The new mid-field partnership of Hannah Wilson and Clodagh Burke looked solid and the back three with starters Allana Fitz, Taragh Kirwin and Amber Moran and the replacements will challenge any defence. The pack was once again a match for a bigger unit with Mia Whelan slotting in easily at loose head alongside Sarah Delaney and big carrier Ruth Whittle. The back row of Eadaoin Murtagh, Allah Fraser and Orla McDonald should their mobility throughout the evening.

Full time: Mullingar 0 Port Dara 19

Squad: Taragh Kirwin, Amber Moran, Clodagh Burke, Hannah Wilson, Allana Fitzpatrick, Amy Rushton, Mairead Scully, Mia Whelan, Sarah Delaney, Ruth Whittle, Blathnaid Smith, Alice Cross, Allana Fraser, Eadaoin Murtagh (Capt), Orla McDonald, Aoife Thompson, Saoirse Murtagh, Ava Kenny, Shauna Bryan, Megan Farrell, Roisin Keogh, Evie Dickinson, Keila Moore, Holly Bale.

These two teams will renew acquaintances next Saturday in Silken Thomas Park when they face off again, this time in the Cup semi-final. The winners of that game will face the winners of the other semi-final between Wicklow and Tullow.