Round 3 of the Women’s AIL season has UL Bohs and Railway Union both hoping they can remain unbeaten in as many games, while Blackrock are back in action for their second contest of the season.
Suttonians v UL Bohemians, Saturday October 7th, JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds, 1pm
UL Bohs will look to make it three games unbeaten this weekend as they travel to the capital to face a Suttonians side hoping for their second triumph in the weekend’s early kick-off.
Sutts managed to secure a win in their opening encounter with Ballincollig as tries from Grainne Tummon and Mary Healy helped give them the edge in a 12-5 win. It was scheduled to be their second game having had their match with Railway moved to last week, where they were defeated 47-10 at Station Road. They will hope to prevent a losing streak developing but face a test against an exhilarating UL side.
The Red Robins are in red hot form at the minute, Fiona Haye’s side have two bonus point wins under the belts and look in great form. Off the back of an 82-0 win over Galwegians, they are hopeful of picking up their third win. Kate Flanner is one of their key scorers this term with 20 points, with Alana McInerney, Lily Brady, Jane Clohessy, Laoise McGonagle and Chisom Ugwueru all joining on the scoring front in a big way
Galwegians v Railway Union, Saturday October 7th, Crowley Park, 2.30pm
A third straight defeat could be on the cards for Galwegians, unless they manage to strike a first win of the season on home soil as they face second placed Railway Union.
Wegians are bottom of the standings on 0 points with a -95 score difference following their opening two games, missing some key names has seen the Blue Belles struggle in the early part of the year, you cannot write them off however, they have shown what they can do but Union so far this season have been unrelenting.
Two bonus point wins in rather convincing fashion has Union back where they want to be fighting for the title, they lost out last year and are right back at it from the word go hoping to put the foundation in place for a season of silverware.
Despite missing international players, they have a squad packed of starts from the recent inter-pro series, Nikki Caughey, Ava Ryder, Stephanie Carroll, Grainne O’Loughlin, Faith Oviawe, Patricia Doyle and Aimee Clarke are just some who have put the hand up and made it count in their opening two encounters.
Cooke v Ballincollig, Saturday October 7th, Clement Wilson Park, 5pm
Ballincollig could keep their fight for the top half of the table alive should they inflict a second defeat of the season on Cooke, their first home game does see them needing to put on a performance.
Cooke failed to pick up a result from the league last season and their opening game result against Railway was an indicator we may see the trend follow this year. They are battle hardened and can get results like the cup campaign last year, this is a must win for them this year.
Ballincollig failed to pick up where they left off defeating Wegians on the opening weekend by suffering a defeat to Suttonians in Round 2, they will come into this tie with a confidence that they can get a second win of the campaign. Heather Kennedy at full-back is well versed at getting over for a try, while Gillian Coombes and Roisin Ormond are strong assets in their forwards.
Wicklow v Blackrock College, Saturday October 7th, Ashtown Lane, 5pm
Blackrock College look for their second win of the campaign in as many games travelling to Ashtown Lane hoping to avoid a bump in the road early on this season.
For last season’s conference winners, it has been a tough start to this year’s campaign, it could be a third straight defeat should they fall to Blackrock. The side had a year to remember last season and now need to get wins on the board this year or it could be one to forget. Just seven points put on their board this year is something they must address in this contest.
Following some time off Blackrock return to action looking to return to winning ways and be shy of the league leaders. It was a battle for the ages with Belvedere in the opening round encounter. Missing plenty of their star power, the likes of Beth Cregan, Ella Durkan, Shannon Heapes and Abby Moyles got them over the line in Stradbrook. More of the same they will hope can come from this tie.
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.