Paul Cusack Cup Final – Naas 36 Wicklow 24

Third-quarter tries from Emily McKeown and Sheena Hubbard gave Naas the cushion they needed to hold Wicklow at bay in the Paul Cusack Cup final. There was serious intensity from the get-go as McKeown tested the defence of Saoirse O’Reilly and Naas sent No 8 Mary Healy and centre Amy Horan up the guts.

Wicklow held the line, administered the tackles and relied on Nicole Humby to kick them out of trouble. The commitment to keep the ball in-hand was oiled by the decision-making of Sheena Hubbard and a sweet line by flanker Ruth Campbell for the first try in the 10th minute.

Hubbard twice intervened and Healy weaved for 20 metres when the ball went astray and Wicklow wing O’Reilly picked off the ball to accelerate away for a try she converted too for 7-5 in the 16th minute. The lead changed hands again when Healy used a solid scrum to power away from tackles on the way to the posts, Clare Finn converting for 12-7 in the 27th minute.

A kick over the top by Humby allowed Naoise O’Reilly to put on the after-burners, expertly grabbing the bouncing ball to scoot home, Saoirse O’Reilly converting for 14-12 in the 34th minute. The electric Naoise O’Reilly was away again from smart passing on the inside. This time, full-back Zoe Dunbar snapped into the tackle.

Tremendous continuity by Naas, started and finished by Healy, from just outside the 22 produced the try of the game for Finn to kick the extras for 19-14 at the break.

The variety to Hubbard’s kicks was countered by Humby seeking out the touchline, perhaps to slow the pace of the game. It didn’t work well enough to prevent Naas from surging up the left where McKeown had the pace and power to make the line for 24-14 in the 48th minute.

The tide of possession was going with Naas, Healy causing havoc and right-wing Laura Power unable to take the final pass. Soon enough, they were on the front foot again, Healy and Campbell taking the ball on and Hubbard getting the final touch for 29-14 in the 59th minute.

Wicklow hooker Maya McDevitt and Becky Condron were not content to sit back, coming forward on the ball. They came left for the backs to work the ball into the hands of Faye O’Neill, who had the presence of mind to fend and stride to the line in the 73rd minute.

It was give and take as Healy powered over for Finn to add two on top before Wicklow had the last say from Aoife Dunne’s injury-time try.

Scorers – Naas: M Healy two tries; E McKeown R Campbell, S Hubbard, M Healy try each; C Finn four cons. Wicklow: S O’Reilly try, two cons; N O’Reilly, F O’Neill, A Dunne try each.

Naas – Zoe Dunbar; Laura Power, Ali Miley, Amy Horan, Emily McKeown; Sheena Hubbard, Catriona Sheridan; Amy Moran, Ellen Murray, Clare Finn, Beverly Mahon, Abbie Cullen, Aisling Mahon, Ruth Campbell, Mary Healy

Replacements: Shannon Geoghegan, Rebecca Francis, Valerie Timmons, Jane Fallon, Emily Fitzgerald, Jamie Garland, Sorcha Fitzhenry, Rachel Naughton.

Wicklow – Katherine Ward; Saoirse O’Reilly, Sue Brady, Orla O’Neill, Naoise O’Reilly; Nicole Humby, Megan McConnell; Niamh O’Leary, Maya McDevitt, Clara Jenkinson, Laura Newsome, Ciara Reilly, Eimear Douglas, Amy O’Neill, Becky Condron.

Replacements: Paula Keating, Lara McElroy, Leah Murphy, Faye O’Neill, Loretta Gilbert, Aoife Dunne, Aoibhin Stone, Holly McSorley.

Referee – T Grehan