Wolfhounds Triumph Over Clovers in Celtic Challenge Opener

Ireland prop Linda Djougang delivered a standout try, breaking from her own half during the match. The defending champion Wolfhounds secured a bonus-point 33-7 win against Irish rivals Clovers in their initial Celtic Challenge Cup fixture at Energia Park. The Wolfhounds led 14-7 at halftime, with their final score comprising tries from Larn, Djougang, Higgins, Burke, and Flood, alongside four conversions by O’Brien. The Clovers’ seven points, with a halftime score of 7, were attributed to a penalty try. The Wolfhounds registered the first try of the game after four minutes when Stacey Flood initiated a break and passed to Amy Larn, allowing the wing to touch down. Dannah O’Brien successfully added the conversion. The Clovers responded by having the ball held up over the line, but the most significant moment of the match occurred when Ireland prop Linda Djougang collected the ball in her own half, fended off Enya Breen, and broke clear for an exceptional score. O’Brien subsequently converted again. The Clovers then managed to get on the scoreboard when a maul was brought down directly on the try line, resulting in a penalty try being awarded and Erin King receiving a sin bin. Eve Higgins extended the Wolfhounds’ advantage three minutes after the restart, exploiting a gap, and O’Brien maintained her perfect kicking record, making it three successful conversions from three attempts. Playback was unavailable for the video: ‘Wolfhounds prop Djougang scores stunning Celtic Challenge try’. Replacement hooker Kelly Burke concluded a rolling maul with 13 minutes remaining, securing the bonus-point try, and Ireland international O’Brien maintained her flawless kicking performance. Flood, who represented Ireland in Rugby Sevens at the Olympics, scored a try with eight minutes left to play, solidifying a commanding victory. The two teams are scheduled to compete again at UCD on Saturday, 28 December. Wolfhounds: Stacey Flood; Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amy Larn; Dannah O’Brien, Katie Whelan; Niamh O’Dowd, Maebh Clenaghan, Linda Djougang; Alma Atagamen, Poppy Garvey, Molly Boyne, Claire Boles (capt), Erin King. Replacements: Kelly Burke, Tricia Doyle, Caoimhe Molloy, Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair, Ciara Short, Erin McConnell, Megan Burns, Katie Corrigan. Clovers: Meabh Deely, Hannah Clarke, Ellen Boylan, Enya Breen (capt), Chisom Ugwueru; Nicole Fowley, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Sophie Barrett; Jane Neill, Ruth Campbell; Jemima Adams Verling, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Ivana Kiripati. Replacements: Saoirse Crowe, Grainne Burke, Sadhbh McGrath, Faith Oviawe, Edel McMahon, Grainne Moran, Caitriona Finn, Amee Leigh Costigan. © 2024 BBC. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.