February 1st saw the Thurles Women's rugby team have their first home game of the new year. 

A strong Mallow side provided the opposition for the thurles women. It was Mallow who started the brighter with a well kicked penalty inside 10 minutes taking the lead 3-0. 

Thurles responded well with a sensational individual effort from Kaitlyn Callanan, gathering a loose kick in her own half and running through the Mallow defence to dot down. On the stroke of half time, Mallow added another penalty to leave the score 6-5 to Mallow heading into the break.

The second 40 minutes was all Thurles, with passes sticking, good tackling and strong running. Consistent pressure from Thurles in the Mallow half lead to a strong penalty tap finish from Eimer Ryan powering over from close range. Abby Noonan added the extras from the tee, leaving the score 12-6 to Thurles ten minutes into the second half. 

The pressure continued from the women in black and white, with Kaitlyn adding her second try in the corner, after quick thinking from Ciara Scanlon, gathering the ball as it bounced off the uprights from a thurles penalty kick. 

With 20 minutes to play, Thurles worked consistently hard to break down the strong Mallow defence. Some slick passing from the thurles back line gave Kaitlyn the time and the space to power over the try line to complete her hat-trick, 22-6 to Thurles.

Thurles didn't have it all their own way with Mallow responding strongly as the half continued. Excellent tackling and defending kept the visiting team out. 

The cherry on top was provided by Gemma Dunican with a glorious intercept on the half way line, leaving the centre in open country to run in under the posts. Abby Noonan provided the extras with 10 minutes to go. 

Thurles worked hard in defence for the last period of the game, successfully keeping the visitors out.

Final Score 29-6 to Thurles.

1 Kerry McCormack , 2 Roisin Meehan , 3 Kate Kelly, 4 Lou  Cawley, 5 Charlene Powell, 6 Eileen Gleeson, 7 Katelyn  Callanan, 8 Eimer Ryan (C), 9 Abby Noonan, 10 Katie Jones, 11 Erin Foley, 12 Emma Coleman, 13 Gemma  Dunican, 14 Niamh Dunne, 15 Jayne Dooley,16 Zara  Whelan, 17 Ciara Scanlon.  18 Emma Buggy, 19 Eimear Allison.