Annual Munster Mash gets rolling

The first annual Munster Mash roller derby was a nail-biting affair last night with two closely matched teams setting a blistering pace in what is fast becoming a hugely popular sport in Ireland.

Hosted by Cork City Firebirds, the adrenalin-fuelled event took place in the Neptune Stadium.

The Cork team, along with Limerick Roller Girls and Waterford City Viqueens, formed two squads of 13 players each, Munster Mayhem and Southern Slayers, to stage a roller derby showcase.

“It was a fantastic match,” said referee Naomi Daly. “It was well played with only the odd sin-binning and no expulsions.”

Southern Slayers won the day but there were no real losers as it was all about the spectacle. “Everyone went into the game for fun,” said Daly, a founder member of Cork City Firebirds.

“It was one of my favourite bouts to referee. Every team member enjoyed themselves, as did the 300 people who came to watch.”

Half-time entertainment was provided by members of the Cork Figure Skating Association.

Flat-track roller derby is played between two teams on traditional quad roller skates and is not for the faint of heart. One skater is the point scorer or jammer, who scores a point every time she legally passes a member of the opposing team, who attempt to block her.

“It is a full contact sport,” explained Daly. “The jammers have to get past the blockers to score a point and they travel at high speed in close proximity to the blockers. There were no broken bones on this occasion though, only a few bumps and bruises.”

Roller derby is gaining increasing popularity in Europe and there are six leagues in Ireland.

While fitness is essential, age is not necessarily a barrier. “You get players from their 20s to their 40s and it’s not a problem,” said Daly.

“There are also men’s leagues and sometimes men play against women — but the women always win.”