Ireland’s women secured a hard-fought victory against Scotland in Cork on Saturday afternoon, providing valuable preparation for the upcoming World Cup.
This warm-up match proved to be a beneficial exercise for the Irish squad.
Scott Bemand’s team showed signs of rust early on but improved as the game progressed, ultimately doing enough to overcome a Scottish side that already had a game under their belt.
Captain Sam Monaghan played 36 minutes after a 14-month absence, while Eimear Corri-Fallon and Beibhinn Parsons completed the full match after recovering from injuries.
With three players making their debut, including 19-year-old Ailish Quinn off the bench, five tries scored, and a win secured, the squad has a solid foundation to build upon. However, there are aspects that still require work before their next warm-up game against Canada in Belfast.
The slow start was anticipated.
Having not played for over three months since their Six Nations defeat to Scotland, only four of the starting XV from that previous match featured in the Cork encounter.
Scotland, in contrast, were further along in their preparation, evidenced by their dominant start, leading 14-0 early in the second quarter after a warm-up against Italy the previous week.
Centre Lisa Thomson scored the first try following a lineout move, and Lucia Scott then exploited a gap in the defense from deep after another lineout. Thomson converted both tries.
Ireland’s defense, particularly a crucial jackal penalty won by Amee Leigh Costigan near their own line, and the long-range kicking of Dannah O’Brien, kept them in the game.
However, the team struggled to gain momentum, with dropped balls and poor decisions hindering their attacking efforts.
Debutante Ivana Kiripati dropped an early pass and conceded a penalty for a high tackle, likely due to a combination of nerves and the lack of recent match practice, before settling into the game.
Nancy McGillivray, another first-time player in the starting lineup, saw limited action in the opening stages as Scotland dominated. However, Ireland quickly transitioned from rusty to ruthless.
The shift occurred following a lengthy stoppage when Scottish hooker Lana Skeldon was stretchered off the field after an awkward landing in a ruck. Shortly after, Ireland began to exert pressure in the Scottish 22.
Tighthead Sadbh McGrath scored the first try after multiple phases and a series of Scottish penalties. O’Brien’s conversion attempt hit the post, but it didn’t halt their momentum.
Three minutes later, Meabh Deely touched down in the right corner, capping off a well-executed team move initiated by a strong run from Grace Moore and a succession of precise passes.
Ireland continued to press the Scottish line until halftime but were unable to score a third try. Kiripati was then held up over the line early in the second half.
McGillivray added a third try soon after, cleverly exploiting a gap created by O’Brien after the forwards had softened up the Scottish defense with a series of pick and goes. A missed conversion kept Ireland’s lead at 17-14, but Scotland were seemingly in trouble.
Rhona Lloyd was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, and the introduction of Ireland’s first-choice front row intensified the scrum dominance. However, two opportunities to extend the lead were squandered due to infringements in the 22.
Scotland capitalized, capitalizing on an Irish error and a missed opportunity to launch a kick-tennis exchange, creating space for Emma Orr to weave through and score a converted try.
With Scotland back in the lead, despite playing against 14, Ireland responded. Twelve minutes from time, strong carries from Linda Djougang and Moore set up Niamh O’Dowd to score, putting Ireland ahead 22-21.
Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird secured what proved to be the decisive score from a five-meter lineout, with the Scottish defense faltering. Enya Breen’s conversion bounced off the post, leaving the door open for Scotland with two minutes remaining, but the scoring was complete.
World No.2 Canada are the next challenge for Ireland before they begin their World Cup campaign against Japan in Northampton two weeks later.
M Deely; B Parsons, N McGillivray, E Higgins, A-L Costigan; D O’Brien, M Scuffil-McCabe; S McCarthy, C Moloney-MacDonald, S McGrath; E Corri-Fallon, S Monaghan (capt); G Moore, I Kiripati, B Hogan.
D Nic a Bhaird for Moore (3-14) and for Hogan (60); F Tuite for Monaghan (36); L Djougang for McGrath and N O’Dowd for McCarthy (both 50); E Lane for Scuffil-McCabe and E Breen for O’Brien (both 60); A Quinn for Kiripati and N Jones for Moloney-MacDonald (both 70).
C Rollie; R Lloyd, E Orr, L Thomson, L Scott; H Ramsay, C Mattinson; A Young, L Skeldon, E Clarke; E Wassell, R Malcolm; R McLachlan, A Stewart, E Gallagher.
E Martin for Skeldon (32); L Bartlett for Young (HT); L Brebner-Holden for Mattinson (51); M Poolan for Clarke (55); B Blacklock for Ramsey (57); A Ferrie for Wassell and E Donaldson for Malcolm (both 65); C Grant for Brebner-Holden (71).
C Munarini (FIR).
