Round 13 of the AIL Women’s Division is on the agenda this weekend, UL Bohemian looking to keep their unbeaten streak alive at the summit of the table, Old Belvedere and Blackrock College looking to continue their title charge this weekend.
Suttonians v Old Belvedere, Saturday March 2nd, JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds, 1:30pm
A local Dublin derby kicks off the weekend in the Women’s Division, as Belvedere look to mount a charge for the summit.
Sutts have conceded two of their last three games and will look to get back to the field of play and get a result over their Dublin neighbours. The hosts have lost all four of their previous meetings with Belvo and hope that changes this weekend.
Belvedere made a winning start to this second part of the campaign and will aim to keep that run going this weekend. With the Celtic Challenge series over concerning the Belvo selection, they will hope to get some players back before the Six Nations kicks off later this month.
Cooke v UL Bohemian, Saturday March 2nd, Shaw’s Bridge, 5pm
Plate runners up meet the Cup champions, a contrasting day of fortunes in Dublin earlier this year, in the league can Cooke end UL’s magnificent unbeaten run.
Since that Plate defeat Cooke have lost their last two fixtures, while they put a notable shift in both, the scoreboard failed to reflect those efforts as they struggled to take points. History would say they have struggled against UL in the past, can they get a big scalp over the leaders.
Eleven from Eleven, can the Red Robins make it 12 wins on the trot this weekend as they make the long trip to Belfast. With the Clovers still in Celtic Challenge action they will be without some of their players for the weekend. As the Clovers are effectively out of the competition three players are released ahead of the tie while injuries have UL tight on numbers this weekend.
Galwegians v Blackrock College, Saturday March 2nd, Crowley Park, 5pm
Blackrock are still in the race to defend their Division title but will need to keep their momentum going against Galwegians.
The Tribeswomen have suffered two heavy defeats since that Plate success and with the defending champions making the trip west, are looking to avoid a third loss in succession. The last time Rock arrived to Crowley Park, Galwegians were 25-19 winners in the Plate Final, could they get the win this weekend once more.
Blackrock are sat in fourth very much off the pace of Railway and Belvedere in chasing UL Bohs, but they can keep on the hunt this weekend with a result. As they meet UL Bohs next weekend, this game is very much crucial. Rock have done well missing a host of regulars and look to build on their last outing over Wicklow.
Wicklow v Ballincollig, Saturday March 2nd, Ashtown Lane, 5pm
Bottom placed Wicklow host Ballincollig this weekend, hoping to get a result to move them off the basement in the standings.
Wicklow have lost their last eight games in a row and despite putting in great performances have failed to take those results. A walkover due to injuries against UL Bohs cost them points in the table and with weeks left in the Division they will want to finish higher in the order. They have managed to topple Ballincollig in this venue before, this weekend must be the same scenario.
Ballincollig have been a side in form since the Women’s Division resumed. Strong bonus point performances against Cooke and Suttonians have been the optimum performances and now away to Wicklow they aim to keep that streak going.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.