Irish team wins Celtic Challenge for second year

Irish Wolfhounds ensured that the Celtic Challenger remained in Ireland, winning the title with one round of the playoffs still to go.

Relishing the newly expanded structure, the Wolfhounds made the most of the 8-Round Competition, remaining undefeated in their inaugural season finishing off their stellar season with a 47-26 win against fellow Irish side the Clovers. The newly established side comprising of mainly Leinster and Ulster players was overseen by Neill Alcorn.

Speaking after the game, Alcorn said:

“It’s a huge credit to the Players. The hard work they’ve shown over the past few months has paid off, both results and getting to take home the Celtic Challenge trophy this season. I can’t wait to see some of them take their opportunity in the upcoming Guinness Women’s 6 Nations.”

The Trophy presented to the Champions of this year’s Celtic Challenge Competition is commonly known as a quaich. A Celtic tradition, the quaich is often referred to as the friendship cup, used to offer a welcoming drink to visitors. The Celtic Challenge Trophy has been commissioned with the simplicity of the quaich design in mind. Silver plated it is embellished with Celtic bands which draw together all the teams competing in the Celtic Challenge.

The playoffs had begun the previous week, with the top three teams from the first six rounds challenging for the title.

It began with a top of the table clash between Edinburgh Rugby and the Wolfhounds, which ended with the Wolfhounds scoring a dramatic last minute try to tie the game 26-26.

A herculean effort was ultimately not enough for Glasgow Warriors in their final home match of the 2023/24 Celtic Challenge, as Chris Laidlaw’s squad were edged out 24-17 at the hands of Brython Thunder at Scotstoun.

The second of 3 Play Off Rounds took place on Saturday with title contenders the Wolfhounds hungry to close off their undefeated season with a clean sheet.

A bright, cool day began with scrum and line-out dominated game that saw Gwalia Lightning come out on top against Glasgow before the Wolfhounds took on the Clovers to decide the title.

The final Play Off Round got underway just west of Swansea at Parc y Scarlets. Wales legend Sioned Harries signed off in style with a try and a drop goal in her final game of rugby in Brython Thunder’s bonus-point 30-5 win over Welsh rivals Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge Welsh derby at Parc y Scarlets.

Earlier in the day, some quick secRound 7 Round Up – Play Off 2ond half tries from Clare Gorman and Clara Barrett had the Clovers on course for a final Celtic Challenge win, until Edinburgh’s Rhona Lloyd struck in the dying seconds for a 12-all draw in Llanelli.