It’s fair to say that Clara Barrett is a star in the making, as she announced herself on the national rugby stage recently.
Clara Barrett in action for Connacht in their clash against Munster in The Sportsground on Saturday. Pictures: INPHO/James Crombie
The Geesala native scored four tries in her first two competitive starts with Connacht in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championships.
In her first full competitive debut last Saturday week, she put in a Player of the Match performance and scored a brace of tries in Connacht’s 25-19 win against Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium.
She followed that up by scoring two more tries against eventual champions Munster in The Sportsground on Saturday.
For her first try, she got on the end of a cross-field ball from out-half Nicole Fowley to touch down in the corner.
34 nóim #CONvMUN@connachtrugby – 5@Munsterrugby – 19
Úd tabhachtach faigthe ag na Connachtaigh agus Clara Barrett ag aimsiú an úd
Connacht get an important try as Clara Barrett touches down@IrishRugby#NothingLikeIt #Rugby pic.twitter.com/WFE0XO8uei
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 21, 2023
For the second, it was a similar kick from Fowley, but Barrett had a lot more to do as she rose over Munster’s full-back Aoife Corey to catch and touch down. It was a spectacular piece of athleticism.
51nóim #CONvMUN@connachtrugby – 12@Munsterrugby – 26
An dara úd ag Clara Barrett anois tar éis cic trasna na páirce
Clara Barrett gets her second try of the day, catching a cross field kick@IrishRugby#NothingLikeIt #Rugby pic.twitter.com/4qipG9R937
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 21, 2023
Clara Barrett rises over Munster full-back Aoife Corey to score her second try of the match.
Connacht lost 50-24 in the end to what was a fantastic Munster side. After the match, stalwarts Mairéad Coyne, Laura Feely and skipper Mary Healy all announced that they would be retiring from provincial rugby. What magnificent servants they were to Connacht Women’s Rugby, as they set standards and inspired younger generations to don the green shirt.
However, with the likes of Clara Barrett coming on the scene, a new era begins for women’s rugby in Connacht.
