Women's rugby is set to return in Carlow RFC in '24/25

INCOMING Club President Muireann O’Toole Brennan said that after a five-year gap plans are well advanced to resume adult women's rugby in Carlow RFC ahead of next season.

Already, about 20 players have been assembled and informal training has started on Tuesday evenings, with official training set to resume in mid-August under coach Gavin Whitney.

While previously the Carlow Rugby Club combined with the former Carlow IT to form the Coyotes Womens side, this time round the team will be an all Carlow Club team playing under the County Carlow Football Club banner. Patrycia Harisim (of Polish background) has been appointed womens club captain and Louise Kelly will be the women's team manager. Discussions are underway concerning jersey colour and design and potential club sponsors.

In recent years the Carlow and Tullow Clubs have combined to field the “Rhino” youth girl teams at Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 age levels. It hoped that the youths from both clubs will continue on to play adult womens rugby in Carlow and Tullow. Also Carlow has been fielding under 12 and under 13 girls teams and the intention is to keep these going as all Carlow girl and womens teams as they progress through the age levels.

It is likely that some players from the previous Coyotes teams will also again tog out for the new Carlow team. Girls and women interested in playing with the Oak Park club for the coming season should make contact with Muireann O Toole Brennan at muireannotoole38@gmail.com.

In other CarlowRFC news, at the recent Carlow President (Brendan Carbery) Dinner, awards were presented for outstanding service to the club.

Club Person of the Year, Ribeiro Trophy -- Tom Crotty (Senior Player of the Year), Attride Cup and Cap -- Jonathan Crossley (Young Player of the year), Junior 1 – Ben Crotty (Unsung Hero of the Year) -- Mossy Whitney Junior 2 Player for the Year – Anto Kelly (Junior 2 Young Player of the Year) – Thomas Atkinson Under 18.5 Awards Players player of the Year – Brian Broderick (Young Player of the Year) – Daniel Donovan Most Improved Player of the Year – Eoin Pender. Additional awards were presented to Carlow Executive member Derek Hayden for his Contribution to Rugby in Carlow and to veteran member Brian Lyons, who overseen the distribution of International Tickets in Carlow for the past 40 years. Leinster Rugby Player Ed Byrne, who began his career in Carlow has signed to play his professional rugby in Cardiff for the coming season after making over 100 appearances for the province.