women
international women
After his USA The Women’s Eagles team overturned a 19-point deficit to win Ireland 40-36 in theirs WXV Global Series first, Skerries-born head coach Jack Hanratty hailed the resilience of his young squad.
For much of the first half at Tallaght Stadium, the North Americans struggled to establish themselves.
Ireland made the most of it and scored four tries in the first 30 minutes. Tries from American Georgie Perris-Redding and Hope Rogers meant that the scoreboard read 24-12 in favor of the hosts at half-time.
Erin King’s converted try after the restart extended Ireland’s lead to 19 points.
Kathryn Treder scored tries either side of Vicky Elmes Kinlan’s yellow card, while Hallie Taufoou and Freda Tafuna also scored for Ireland with a man down. The time for Dorothy Wall’s attempt was almost over was only a consolation.
It was a more than pleasing result for Hanratty. It was just his third win since starting his role as Eagles head coach in the new year – during which time he has picked up 10 new players and his team finished third in Pacific Four Series and draw a Test series with the Springbok Women in South Africa.
“The resilience of the group has been excellent,” Hanratty told TG4 at full time. “I think that was probably the biggest thing for me.
“With a young group that hasn’t played together much, you wonder if that belief is there and they showed it today. They just kept going and the energy was brilliant.”
He added: “In that second half it was just like this spark. I don’t know if it was the introduction to the substitution or the team talk at half time, but we came out with a completely different energy and we kept going.”
The US will now prepare to take over a Wales a team that will be similarly delighted. Sean Lynn’s side saw off the odds to beat the Springbok Women 50-19 at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday night.
