2 hours Ago By Dave Mervyn
ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE WOMEN’S DIVISION – ROUND 3: Saturday, October 19 Kick-off 5pm unless stated – OLD BELVEDERE (10th) v UL BOHEMIAN (4th), Ollie Campbell Park, 1pm Preview: Having failed to pick up a point during the first two rounds, Old Belvedere already have ground to make up. It does not get much tougher than the defending champions paying them a visit, but Tania Rosser’s charges are relishing the challenge. Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton and Jade Gaffney are building a very good rapport at half-back, behind an equally youthful ‘Belvo pack that contains Ireland Under-20 captain Jane Neill .
There was not much in it last season, with UL Bohemian claiming 20-15 and 19-10 wins. Bohs are smarting from a last-gasp loss to Railway Union, and you have to go back to September 2022 since they suffered back-to-back league defeats. Fiona Hayes’ side should lay the platform up front, coupled with Kate Flannery’s playmaking, for a quick return to winning ways.
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: UL Bohemian to win BLACKROCK COLLEGE (7th) v RAILWAY UNION (2nd), Stradbrook Preview: These two teams are both fresh from hard-fought comeback victories. Blackrock opened their win account against Old Belvedere thanks to Mya Alcorn’s two-try cameo, while Ireland dual international Claire Boles was Railway Union’s late try-scoring hero away to UL Bohs.
These south Dublin rivals are still bedding in some new players, but one who has stood out for Railway so far is USA international Amanda Berta with three tries from the wing. Blackrock have some threatening runners of their own, including Connacht’s Ava Ryder , the former Railway winger. Blackrock captain Hannah O’Connor commented: “We’d like to think after the win and the loss, and the two weeks of building since then, that we’ll give a good account of ourselves.
Railway are definitely favourites, but nothing like a good Dublin derby to fuel the fire and always bring a bit of atmosphere.” IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Railway Union to win GALWEGIANS (6th) v COOKE (5th), Crowley Park Preview: Ailish Quinn , who captained the Ireland Under-18s last season, steps up to make her Energia All-Ireland League debut.
The Ballina youngster starts in the back row for Galwegians, who also bring in Stacy Hanley, Grace Fennell, Lorna Martin , and speedy winger Gemma Faulkner . ‘Wegians’ first away trip under Jack Clarke ended in a disappointing 38-point defeat to Wicklow, so they will want to right the wrongs of that performance. Cooke, their third round visitors, have fond memories of their most recent trip to Crowley Park.
The Belfast side ran out 34-10 winners in Glenina last December, and put five tries past Tullow a fortnight ago to move up into the top half of the table. Three of their forwards got on the scoresheet, including former Ireland prop Ilse van Staden , who is 41 and playing as well as ever. IrishRugby.
ie Prediction: Cooke to win SUTTONIANS (3rd) v WICKLOW (1st), JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds ( live on irishrugby+ ) Preview: This is shaping up to be an intriguing contest, and a big test of both sides’ early season progress. It is a huge day for Suttonians as their three senior teams, both Men’s and Women’s, will be part of a triple header of fixtures at the club’s Station Road base. For this irishrugby+ live-streamed showdown, Suttonians will want to limit the influence of Wicklow player-coach Emily McKeown , who helped the Dubliners to win the Women’s Division Conference title in 2022.
With her new club, the elusive winger has already racked up four tries in two games. Sutts have some pace of their own out wide in Inaya Madyun , a new American recruit who crossed the whitewash during their rain-lashed draw away to Ballincollig. Tough to split both packs when they are on song, but Leinster’s Caoimhe Molloy could prove a key figure for the table toppers.
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Wicklow to win TULLOW (9th) v BALLINCOLLIG (8th), Blackgates Preview: A first win of the campaign is the prize on offer for both teams. For Tullow, such a result would have added weight as they are just a few weeks into their first season as an All-Ireland League club.
Powerful prop Joanna Mahon is chasing her third try in as many games. A strong start is vital for Paul Canavan’s charges, especially after they leaked four first half tries to Cooke last time out. Ballincollig have averaged just 13.
5 points per match so far, and creating and converting more chances is top of the agenda for Helen Brosnan’s eighth-placed side. Munster forward Aoibheann McGrath looks to have a bright future in ‘Collig colours, following her try-scoring contribution against Suttonians. With three league seasons under their belt and Michelle O’Driscoll leading by example in midfield, the Cork outfit are favoured to take the spoils here.
Recent League Meetings – N/A IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Ballincollig to win.
