A very spread out Round 15 in the Women’s AIL this weekend, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Tuesday will see action as UL Bohemian, Railway Union and Old Belvedere look to continue their pursuit of the Women’s Division Final.
Blackrock College v Suttonians, Thursday March 14th, UCD, 7:30pm
With Blackrock still able to make this year’s Division final, in these final few games they want to make that dream a reality, taking on local opposition in Suttonians will provide an interesting challenge.
Rock have struggled at times this year, losing players and having little numbers in reserve has seen the holders need an incredible final run of games to make a final. 20 points out of 20 will need to be scored but they also require Railway and Belvedere to struggle in these weeks. It looks impossible but you just never know.
Suttonians after taking a win last weekend will want to build a positive run in these final weeks of action. The Dubliners have improved on last year’s run in the eight game season, while they cannot scoop silverware this campaign they can show their talent as they look to build for next year’s campaign.
Railway Union v Wicklow, Friday March 15th, Park Avenue, 8pm
As they are near a potential decider, Railway have to keep this winning run going to keep Belvedere at bay. Wicklow have been fruitful opponents in the past and they certainly need a similar outcome this weekend.
Stephen Costello’s charges are always going to be one of the best teams in the Division, they are ten adrift of UL Bohs but more concern is that of who are chasing them down. One point ahead of their Dublin neighbours, a surplus of score difference in monumental fashion does see them comfortable if they fail to take five points in this tie.
Wicklow ended their recent losing run last time out with a first win since the end of last year and what a result it would be if they could defeat Railway in their own backyard. Having had some tough losses including one prior to Christmas over Railway they have struggled in this tie in the past, could we see a change and a rewrite of the divisional script.
Cooke v Old Belvedere, Saturday March 16th, Shaw’s Bridge, 5pm
Old Belvedere will have to leave Belfast with five points to keep on the toes of Railway Union ahead of their showdown in the next round. Cooke are on a cold streak looking to upset the applecart.
The Ulsterside are currently sat in the basement spot of the table and will need to build a winning run in the coming weeks if they want to avoid another bottom placed finish. Certainly they have shown their quality but just one win is all they have managed, this campaign in the Women’s Division.
Belvedere will be confident of taking the win here as they have been in remarkable form in the last few weeks. Scoring for fun of late they have been a side on the rise and knowing the gap to Railway ahead of their showdown they want to be oozing confidence which results have shown they are one of the most inform sides since the league got back underway.
UL Bohemian v Ballincollig, Tuesday March 19th, UL Arena, 7:30pm
Leaders UL Bohemian will aim for a 14th win of the campaign as they chart a course for the Division Final in the Aviva Stadium later this season.
Fiona Hayes side will have just two games after this Munster derby at the weekend. Railway and Old Belvedere in the final rounds. Results may favour their passage by the time they face Railway but with that unblemished record a remarkable stat, they have been the pace setters and as some key players have returned they want to kick on in these final weeks regardless of results in other games.
Could Ballincollig make it 13-1 or will they endure a heavy loss like the last time these two faced off in Tanner Park. Ballincollig were motoring quite well in the last few weeks, Wicklow ended their strong momentum and Railway Union gave them a heavy loss on home soil at the weekend. Confidence may not be at an all time high but they will need to find it if they want to take the points from UL Bohs.
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.