AIL Preview: Women’s Energia Cup Round 1

The 2024 Women’s Energia Cup Series returns this weekend, played over the four weekends in January, who will take silverware this year as Blackrock and UL Bohemian meet in a heavyweight first round clash.

Blackrock College v UL Bohemian, Saturday 6th January, Stradbrook, 5pm

Despite both teams missing a host of players due to the Celtic Challenge, meetings between Blackrock and UL Bohs are historic and always bring plenty of action.

Blackrock tasted defeat to UL Bohs back in October and will be out to make a splash in this year’s competition having failed to make ground last term. Coming off the back of an unbeaten league campaign in 2022, missing key players they struggled to challenge for the top prize and suffered defeat to Galwegians in the Plate Final. 

Losing their last two games prior to the Christmas break in the Women’s Division and now missing nine International players, it will be a tough battle no doubt to defeat UL, Blackrock very much aiming to return to winning ways.

Beaten in the decider last season, the red Robins return to the capital where they suffered that final defeat to Railway, not in this venue however they did record a win on their last trip during that campaign.

UL however like Blackrock are missing plenty of key names, top scorer Kate Flannery may be in action in the capital but will not be lining out for the Robins, neither will Aoife Corey, Alana McInerney, Beth Buttimer, Brianna Heylmann, Lily Brady, Eilís Cahill, Claire Bennett, Abbie Salter-Townshend and Clara Barrett who all are selected for the Clovers.

After going unbeaten for ten games in the Women’s Division, Fiona Hayes side are the team to beat and despite missing key players will still be a strong side to overcome as they go in search of a potential double success this season.

Railway Union v Ballincollig, Saturday 6th January, Park Avenue, 5pm

Railway Union begin the defence of their Cup crown this weekend with a home meeting against Ballincollig.

The Dubliners will not want to relinquish their reign as holders without a fight and winning their final three games of 2023, they are in good form. It has been a gap of almost a month since they lined out for round ten of the Women’s Division against Suttonians and plenty has changed.

Leah Tarpey, Aimee Clarke, Sophie Barrett, Keelin Brady, Nikki Caughey, Kayla Waldron, Ailsa Hughes and Faith Oviawe all will not play a part for their side this weekend due to the Celtic Challenge clashing with the fixture. 

Plenty of big names out for the hosts, they did however face similar anguish last season missing players and in the end were crowned champions. Unbeaten against Ballincollig and with a 46-10 score line coming from their previous meeting in October last, they will be favoured to score a win in this one.

After starting the season in good form, six defeats from their nine Women’s Division games has led to Ballincollig slipping down the order to sixth. With two pieces of silverware up for grabs in the Cup, they could make a good shot at landing a prize this month.

While they are missing just two players they certainly are big losses. Michelle O’Driscoll their top scorer and Roisin Ormond a fulcrum in the forwards both are out with International commitments. 

That being said Ballincollig have other players who have impressed this year, Heather Kennedy and Gemma Lane are well able to get tries, Ellen Cournane, Aoife Fleming, Ciara Fleming, Kelly Griffin, Sinead O’Reilly, Anna Roche and Brighid Twohig have all also crossed for the Cork outfit this year. Could a cupset be on the cards we will have to wait and see.

Old Belvedere 0-28 Cooke

The meeting of Old Belvedere and Cooke will not take place this weekend, Cooke have been awarded a 28-0 bonus point win as Old Belvedere conceded the fixture.

More Info on the Cup Series here