NORA STAPLETON SCORED all ten points for Ireland’s Women today, but they were beaten 12-10 by England at the UCD Bowl.
The Fahan woman, assuming kicking duties in the absence of Niamh Briggs, was on form alongside Cappry’s Larissa Muldoon in the half-back line.
Picture caption: Ireland captain Paula Fitzpatrick and 10-point out-half Nora Stapleton.
Katy McLean’s crucial conversion of flanker Izzy Noel-Smith’s 72nd-minute try from a maul gave England victory, but Ireland feel that they can take a lot of positives forward into next Saturday’s game against Canada.
[adrotate group=”46″]The girls in green had plenty of possession in the first half but struggled to open up a dogged English defence, and the visitors used their lineout platform to build for Rochelle Clark’s 33rd-minute try
Stapleton clipped over a late penalty from in front of the posts to leave Ireland just 5-3 behind at the break.
Excellent out-half Stapleton scooped up a loose ball and brilliantly stepped through the traffic to crash over to the left of the posts for a 50th minute try and added the conversion.
[adrotate group=”38″]However, England struck for the late win.
Moville woman Katie Norris came on as a 74th minute sub while Jackie Shiels, whose mother hails from Donegal town, was an unused sub today.
