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Greystones secure sweet survival with thumping victory over Kilkenny in Arklow

Team captain Ana Iraizoz believes the whole squad will take a lot of confidence from this performance

The Greystones players celebrate at the final whistle.

The Greystones team who defeated Kilkenny to maintain their Leinster League Division 3 status.

Greystones Niamh Kelly has her sights set on the try line against Kilkenny.

"Thou Shalt Not Pass". Greystones Lucia De La Lastra Lanza puts a stop to a Kilkenny attack.

Greystones Amy O'Mahony breaks down a Kilkenny attack.

The Kilkenny defence surround Emer Meagher but can't stop her scoring a try.

Greystones Aishling Mulvaney is stopped in her tracks by the Kilkenny defence.

thumbnail: The Greystones players celebrate at the final whistle.
thumbnail: The Greystones team who defeated Kilkenny to maintain their Leinster League Division 3 status.
thumbnail: Greystones Niamh Kelly has her sights set on the try line against Kilkenny.
thumbnail: "Thou Shalt Not Pass". Greystones Lucia De La Lastra Lanza puts a stop to a Kilkenny attack.
thumbnail: Greystones Amy O'Mahony breaks down a Kilkenny attack.
thumbnail: The Kilkenny defence surround Emer Meagher but can't stop her scoring a try.
thumbnail: Greystones Aishling Mulvaney is stopped in her tracks by the Kilkenny defence.
Bray People

Greystones RFC 37

Kilkenny RFC 7

Greystones RFC’s women’s team secured their place in Leinster League Division 3 following a dominant display in their relegation play-off decider against Kilkenny hosted by Arklow Rugby Club last Sunday.

In a season of transition that witnessed a number of players graduate into the senior women’s XV from the clubs very successful underage set up, Greystones found themselves in a fight to secure their league placing having finished second from bottom in the regular season.

Despite their relatively poor showing during the league campaign, they faced into this do-or-die decider with confidence buoyed by a recent upturn in form.

Taking this confidence onto the pitch Greystones started strongly and scored early through lock Emer Meagher. They then defended resolutely for long periods of the first half as Kilkenny tried to fight their way back into the tie without piercing the Greystones defense.

Greystones were determined this was going to be their day and added three more tries before half-time with full-back Aisling Dalby, wing Niamh Kelly and scrum-half Alex Dalton all running in scores to give Greystones a 20-point half-time lead.

In the second half Kilkenny continued to take the fight to the Greystones women but failed to fashion a breakthrough. Dalby added a second try while Meagher picked up a hattrick with two second half efforts one of which was converted by Eibhlin Laffan Downes to leave Greystones 37 points clear as the game entered the final phase. Kilkenny finally crossed with the last play of the game for what was a consolation try.

Greystones captain Ana Iraizoz believes the whole squad will take a lot of confidence from this performance and look forward to next season building on the back of the great work put in at underage level as more players will graduate into the senior team.

Greystones: Aisling Dalby, Michelle Colgan, Lucia de la Lastra-Lanza, Eva Sterritt, Niamh Kelly, Leah Kearney, Alex Dalton, Eibhlin Laffan-Downes, Anna O’Brien, Aislinn Mulvaney, Aine Hughes, Ana Iraizoz, Lauren Sweeney, Amy O’Mahony, Emer Meagher. Replacements: Christina Megannety, Alanna Plunkett, Heather O’Connor, Mathilde Murray, Sophie Dallaghan, Niamh Doyle, Kerry Carlisle, Clodagh Brennan, Jules Harris.