Thurles Senior Women took on the Shannon RFC in the first round of the Munster Cup in Coonagh RFC today.

Huge ask for this new and inexperienced side with 11 of our 15 girls getting their first cap for Thurles today.

Thurles started slow and Shannon ran in two easy tries to take the early lead, score was 14-0 after 10 minutes.

The strong Shannon side fought hard at the breakdown and despite Thurles girls best efforts they couldn’t break their defence. Shannon utilised their speed on the wings and got in a few more tries under the posts. Leaving the score 38-0 at half time.

Despite the scoreline the Thurles girls came out after half time and rallied up the field. With some strong runs from Kaitlyn Callanan and Kate Kelly getting inches away from the try line!

Thurles girls raised the pace of the game in the second half and played a lot of the game inside Shannon’s 22’. Unfortunately the girls were unlucky not to score. Some fantastic potential in this squad. Well done to all the girls that togged out in the black and white today and a speedy recovery to Caoimhe Sweeney.

Final score 53-0.

First caps for Thurles Women today; *Kate Kelly,*Emma Buggy,*Megan Woodlock,*Roisin Meehan,*Caoimhe Sweeney, *Síona Barcoe-Keogh,*Sorcha Barcoe-Keogh,*Lou Cawley, *Beth Roche, *Jayne Dooley and *Bronagh Morrissey.

Thurles women are out next in 2 weeks in the Bowl semi final, venue and date to be confirmed.