Molloy’s World Cup dream is crushed

GALWAY City native Claire Molloy’s dream of World Cup glory came crashing down upon her and her Irish team-mates when they were blown away 40-7 by a physically stronger England side at the semi-final stage at Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris on Wednesday.

It was a crushing defeat for Molloy and company given their exploits to date, including victory over reigning champions New Zealand, and, in many respects, that has what made the margin of this loss so surprising.

Added to this, Ireland were Six Nations champions in 2013 and only lost narrowly to England – 17-10 – when the sides met in the same competition earlier this year. Wednesday’s loss means they will now play France, who beat Canada in the other semi-final, in the play-off for the bronze medal on Sunday.

Ireland had started positively against England, with many players winning their individual battles. No more so than Molloy who was having a ding-dong struggle with Maggie Alphonsi at the breakdown and, indeed, Molloy was pivotal in Ireland winning an early penalty.

At any rate, Ireland made their early dominance count when, from a line-out, they drove over on 17 minutes and among a sea of bodies, hooker Gillian Bourke grounded the ball for the semi-final’s opening try. Duly converted by Niamh Briggs – shortlisted for the IRB’s women’s Player of the Year – Ireland were 7-0 up.

While England botched the restart, Ireland’s difficulties in holding their own scrum was allowing the victors opportunities to overturn possession time and again.

This pressure told as Ireland conceded a crucial penalty and from there Gary Street’s charges worked the ball through the phases to set up Rochelle Clark for their opening try. An Emily Scarratt penalty subsequently secured England a 8-7 lead on 32 minutes.

Ireland, though, had the opportunity to launch the offensive from the restart but the kick only found the end line and when play was scrummed back, England went on the attack again – this time Kat Merchant racing through to score England’s second try. Scarratt converted.

Full report in this week’s City Tribune.