It will be a blockbuster start to Round 5 with UL Bohs taking on Blackrock, elsewhere Railway Union hope to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
UL Bohemian v Blackrock College, Saturday October 21st, Annacotty, 3pm
What a way to start the weekend of Round 5 in this division with the meeting of UL and Blackrock on Shannonside.
With Kate Flannery amassing a 45 point haul in the division so far, the Tipperary teenager has been a consistent scorer for the Robins this season. Kicking six conversions last weekend, she is accomplished at giving UL points, especially in big games.
An exciting prospect for Bohs also is Chisom Ugwueru on the wing, having the likes of Alana McInerney and Laoise McGonagle in their backs, Ugweuru is energetic and well able to take a score when given space to roam.
Four wins from four with their high scoring exploits bringing four bonus points along the way, the red Robins have been an exciting prospect for Fiona Hayes in her return to the head coach role.
On the other side we have the defending champions Blackrock, unbeaten last season they come to Shannonside looking to keep their track record alive on course for more silverware.
Rock have been tested more than UL this season, twice in the early rounds we saw Blackrock come out winners in some tight affairs. In a game that expects to be closely fought, will that maybe swing momentum in their favour during those nervy minutes.
Beth Cregan has been one of the most consistent performers for Blackrock this season and with Abby Moyles kicking 21 points they also have a strong kicker in their ranks. Both possess powerful forwards that can get over for a try, of their last six encounters in the league the visitors won five, it’s very hard to call a winner here.
Cooke v Suttonians, Saturday October 21st, Clement Wilson Park, 5pm
A meeting of two sides in need of taking some points currently sat in 8th and 6th respectively takes place at Clement Wilson Park.
After three games Cooke remain without a win, they are also yet to register a point with some one sided affairs seeing them yet to score even a losing bonus point.
With the second leakiest defence and second least potent attack, they may have another tough season at the bottom of the standings on their hands.
Ilse Van Staden is still one of the old guard who is hoping to lead by example and give Cooke a big result this weekend. They need it as their league form has seen them lose their last 11 outings.
Suttonians lost in midweek to Belvedere and will be out to take their second win of the competition and will be favoured to do so. Sitting in sixth place a win wouldn’t change their position but will help them gain confidence and be able to push on for what is still a long season.
Mary Healy, Leomie Kloppera and Grainne Tummon have been the try scorers for Sutts this season and will look to continue their form in this contest, while Katelyn Faust remains their top scorer.
Galwegians v Old Belvedere, Saturday October 21st, Crowley Park, 5pm
With a short turnaround from their midweek performance, Belvedere travel to Galway looking for a third win of the campaign.
Wegians have four losses in a row and with Belvedere coming to town chances are high of a fifth defeat.
Four very tough fixtures in a row against the “top four” of the Women’s Division. The Connacht outfit will need to find the right mentality to tackle Belvedere.
82-0, 63-5 and 55-5 are their last three results, they have struggled to get points on the board and must conjure a strong defensive performance against this Belvedere side.
Brimming with confidence following a 31-5 win over Suttonians in mid week, Belvo will look to move higher up the standings should they continue their offensive charge.
It could well have been an unbeaten start to the season with how their opener with Blackrock went being on a knife edge, a bonus win along with Ballincollig losing elsewhere would see them finish inside the top four this weekend.
With how many points Wegians have coughed up, Belvedere have some quality finishers in their ranks, Katie Corrigan, Lesley Ring, Jemma Farrell, Jess Keating, Elise O’Byrne-White and Emma Tilly have all crossed the whitewash for Belvo already in this campaign.
Railway Union v Ballincollig, Saturday October 21st, Ashtown Lane, 5pm
The other meeting of the teams inside the top four of this weekend sees second entertain fourth at Ashtown Lane.
Following a week’s rest, Railway will look to regain their top spot in the standings should UL falter to Blackrock it could be achieved in one round.
The high scorers from the capital will be out to continue their form in this contest having ran out 79-0 winners last year.
Ballincollig have a much better defence this year however, with Rhiann Heery and Aimme Clarke both with four tries each, they are a foreboding figure in the Railway attack, while Nikki Caughey is the league’s second highest scorer well able to kick vital insurance points.
Ballincollig have been quite an interesting prospect this season, having finished near the bottom last season, the Cork outfit sit in fourth spot and will have a real test on their hands against Railway.
It has all the signs of being a close encounter however unlike last year’s one sided affair based on how well Ballincollig have done.
Last weekend it was a nervy battle with Wicklow where a penalty from Centre Shaniqka Wall decided a close tie with Wicklow. Wall and Michelle O’Driscoll who missed last weekend’s tie have been key contributors for the side this season, as too have Heather Kennedy, Ellen Cournane, Aoife Flemming and Ciara Flemming.
More Information on the Women’s Division available here
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.