Feely and Ireland fall to heavy defeat in Six Nations opener

There was defeat for Laura Feely and the Ireland women in this evening’s Six Nations opener.

Ireland lost 51-7 to England at Donnybrook.

Ballybofey native Feely started in the front row, but Ireland fell to a heavy defeat.

The crowd of 4,637 was a record for a stand-alone women’s game, but a Jess Breach try early on dimmed the optimism.

Sarah McKenna got over to make it 13-0 at half-time.

Sarah Bern, Lark Davies, Katy Daley McLean, Zoe Harrison, Emily Scott and Bryony Cleall all scored second-half tries for England.

Ireland’s only points came via a penalty try.