First of all may I start of by saying how much my fellow coach Conal Owens is missed by the ladies coaching team and all the players. Conal was a great coach and mentor to all the girls. He used to take charge of the girls on a Wednesday evening on his own, often there would be 35 girls wanting to talk about who said what at school and so forth. Conal would always manage to get them to do fitness as well as a healthy bit of training. Before Christmas, Conal had hurt his knee playing rugby, barely able to walk he went on a lap with the girls - he loved coaching the girls. Our prayers are, and always will be with his family.

Our first blitz this year was held in November in Wexford rugby club. That day we brought two teams of under 15s with five under 16’s players also participating.  Both teams were put in separate groups. Team one came second in there group behind Clane and ahead of Wicklow. Team two topped there group ahead of Wexford and Malone. Team one lost there semi final to Wexford. Wexford went on to beat Naas team two in the final - Naas were winning 2-0 at half time only to succumb to a great second half from Wexford and lost 3-2.  Conal was in charge of team two that day. He made sure everyone knew his team got further than the other team.

On 20 February, the girls travelled to Clane RFC to play a blitz, loosing out narrowly to a very strong Clane and Buccaneers teams on the day. On 8 March the Girls travel to Gorey to play under lights which will be a new experience for the team. Also later this season, Clonmel Ladies are planning a return tour to Naas. We are also set to play Buccaneers Ladies later in the season and hopefully go on tour to Northern Ireland or to Cork
Again none of this could be done without great help from all the Club - Adriaan Ferris, Naas Club Coach, who took a few Wednesday training sessions with the girls and promotes rugby in schools; Robert Brickell, Naas Youths Chairman, who helps us with anything the club can offer; Linda Owens who is mad to go on tour with us again and my fellow coaches Brian Phelan, Jessica Owens and the part time Ger James – Thanks for all your ideas and help.

Austin Doyle, Ladies Team Manager