After a season of continual frustration trying to get women’s youth fixtures organised it was an absolute pleasure to be involved with this fixture against the Nova Scotia Keltics touring side.

The tourist were let down for a fixture in their extensive tour of Ireland but I’m pleased to say that the spirit of rugby lives on and the guys at Railway Union were able to pull together a side of young club players to give the Canadians an entertaining match at Park Avenue on Saturday morning.

The Ireland side was coached by Ulster’s Nikki Caughey and included a few FRU Favourites with Cooke’s Brittany Hogan and Vicky Irwin involved alongside Virginia/Barnhall’s Keelin Brady, three players that caught the eye in last season U18 Interprovincials.

I’m pleased to say that conditions improved considerably from our visit to Park Avenue the night before. The rain stayed away and the temperature improved by seven or eight degrees allowing the players to show their full range of skills in an entertaining match.

The more experienced Barbarian side ran out comfortable winners but it was a valuable hit out for the Canadian’s who grew into the game and finished off with a well taken try to reward their efforts throughout.

The Keltics finish off their tour next Friday night against an Ulster U18 Development side at City of Armagh Rugby Club. Hopefully we’ll catch up with them there.

Pictures below.

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