Blackrock College took top honours in the inaugural Smith’s SuperValu ‘7s in the City’ event, a women-only sevens tournament which was hosted by Buccaneers RFC last weekend, supporting Action Breast Cancer. Played on the June bank holiday Saturday, Blackrock won the Michael Moore Car Sales Open contest. Old Belvedere won the Murphys Law Junior league with Carrick-on-Suir capturing the Medussa Hair Studio u18 title after a long day’s rugby played in glorious weather.
Blackrock, with Doon native Michelle Claffey leading by example, were the only team in all three grades to win every match and thus emerged worthy victors. The stylish Amy Smith added to their success when she took the accolade as Smith’s SuperValu Player of the Tournament. Railway Union battled all the way to secure a place in the Open cup final but they just could not match the pace and élan of Rock. St Mary’s repeated their pool win over County Carlow Coyotes to prevail in the Open plate final.
Host club Buccaneers looked like they would make a strong bid for the Junior honours with promising early victories but ran out of gas in their final pool game against Old Belvedere, who were then building up their own momentum after suffering defeat in their first match. In the Junior decider, Old Belvedere atoned for that opening setback when overcoming Canterbury Warriors, the recently formed Carrick-on-Shannon/Longford alliance. Buccs repeated their pool superiority over neighbours Tullamore in the Junior Plate final, but the Offaly representatives got some consolation when winning the prize for “wackiest socks”!
Carrick-on-Suir made their long trip from the south worthwhile when they prevailed in the u18 section, overcoming luckless Portlaoise in that final.
The tournament drew a decent entry line-up and looks like it will establish itself as a regular annual event. Run primarily by Buccaneers Women’s members Mele Kiripati, Sandra Griffin, and Claire Wyper with assistance from Lorna Stuart-Trainor and Yvonne O’Shea, it provided entertaining fare and a family day atmosphere. The club is indebted to the “magnificent seven” referees Susan Carty, Brian McGrath, David Layden, Diarmuid Morrissey, Tom Reilly, Padraig McGowan, and Billy McMickan who officiated on a warm, testing afternoon. Sincere gratitude is extended to the many generous sponsors, particularly Smith’s SuperValu and Michael Moore Car Sales (Mercedes ). A special word of thanks goes to all who assisted in the medical area especially Kieran Joyce and Gary. The club extends best wishes for speedy recoveries to Portlaoise duo Robyn Millingan and Anna O’Neill and to our own Hazel Kilduff who sustained injuries. Finally, thank you to all who attended on the day, whether playing, volunteering, or simply enjoying the fare on offer. Here’s looking forward to next year already.
