Double delight as Portlaoise Women make club history
Portlaoise's Niamh Griffin holds off this attempted tackle in their Women's Leinster League Division 6 win over Emerald Warriors at Togher on Sunday Photo: David Maher
Portlaoise 84
Emerald Warriors 7
SUNDAY 4 October 2026 will down in the annals of Portlaoise RFC. For the first time in the club’s 60 year history they fielded two women’s team in competitive competition at Togher.
Making the day all the more special was that both recorded resounding victories. The 1st XV who ply their wares in Leinster League Division 4 proved way too strong for Emerald Warriors while the 2nd XV got the better of Dublin University FC2, 34-15 in their Division 6 encounter.
The 1st XV wasted no time in making their intentions clear with centre Sandra Keegan crossing for a try, with Sophie Shanahan added the conversion.
Ten minutes later Keegan gathered a failed kick for touch, made ground before setting Jade Laffan free to score.
Rosie Palmer, who was to make a huge impression in the game next made a great break before setting Ava Gleeson away, She linked with Keegan whose pass went to Shanahan to touch down.
This was to be the trend for the rest of the game with the home side completely dominant.
Further first half tries flooded in including touch downs from Hammah Schiller, Sarah Breslin and a beauty from Gleeson.
There was something for Emeral Warriors to cheer about when they managed to cross the Portlaoise line right on the pip of half time.
And so it continued on the restart when Breslin caught the kick-off, and returned the ball with a lovely kick which Holly Murtagh won the race to touch down.
In the next five minutes Gleeson and Shanahan added tries and from there to the end they completely took control.
At the end of the day this was a day that the girls will remember for a long time, and a day that the club should be very proud of.
PORTLAOISE 1ST XV: Sarah Breslin; Hannah McEvoy, Sandra Keegan, Niamh Griffin, Sophie Shanahan; Ava Gleeson, Holly Murtagh; Rosie Palmer, Steph Gleeson, Yvonne Palmer Amy O’Toole, Joanne Joyce, Jade Laffan, Hammah Schiller, Ali Holmes.
Replacements: Kim Fitzpatrick, Rachel Palmer, Jorja Mullen.
PORTLAOISE 2nd XV: Tara Armstrong; Laura McDonald, Meg Fitzpatrick, Leah O’Brien, Jess Preston; Aoife Cahill, Emma Larkin; Shauna Foot, Catriona Dillon, Leah Bryne; Naoise Toland, Bronagh Maguire; Rachel Murphy, Laura Harding, Katie Foyle.
Replacements: Steph Spacey, Shannon Bryne, Jenny Morahan, Grace Molyneaux, Keeva Gallagher, Abbygail Gyves.
