Week four of the Energia Cup, Railway Union And UL Bohs are out to keep their unbeaten run going, Blackrock meet Belvedere in the clash of the weekend, as Belvo seek a first win.
Railway Union V Galwegians, Saturday 25th February, Park Avenue, 12pm
Railway Union look to keep their 100% win record alive against Galwegians, the curtain raiser to the weekend’s cup action.
Railway overcame Belvo in a highly entertaining clash in Ollie Campbell Park last weekend, that result has them atop the table and looking to secure silverware after missing out in the league.
Wegians have a win under their belts and after a weekend off, are back to face one of the early favourites, the Galway side were made to work hard to overcome Wicklow just holding on for a two point win as a conversion was missed, a win this weekend would easily boost their confidence.
Blackrock College V Old Belvedere, Saturday 25th February, Stradbrook, 5pm
Two quality teams in the Women’s AIL game go head to head in Stradbrook, both have been picked clean by Ireland call ups.
Blackrock have two wins from three and will look for another win against Belvo, Ella Durkan and Maebe Liston have returned in recent weeks to feature, with players away in Scotland this weekend for the Celtic Challenge they will look to have players back for this cup tie.
Belvo are in need of a win having lost both of their opening cup encounters, they sprung to life late on against Railway but failed to claw back the deficit, they lost in the league to Blackrock and now hope to turn around that outcome.
UL Bohemian V Ballincollig, Saturday 25th February, UL 4G, 5pm
UL Bohs are also out to also extend their winning streak to four games, in a Munster Derby in UL, Ballincollig hope to spoil the party.
The Robins were a strong selection at the end of the league campaign, getting into the top four they made the semi’s but Blackrock proved too strong, now in the cup series they look a real contender and missing some notable names have been one of the teams to be, another win and silverware may just be on the horizon.
Ballincollig have one win so far in the cup, but after a heavy beating at the hands of Blackrock, they need to dust themselves off before travelling to Limerick for this tie, they will be up for this tie and look to really test what UL are made of.
Wicklow V Cooke, Saturday 25th February, Ashtown Lane, 5pm
With a win each so far, Wicklow and Cooke hope to build on their records as they clash in Ashtown Lane.
Wicklow certainly felt like points were left behind by them in Galway two weeks ago, they hit two late tries but were unable to add extras and despite taking a bonus point they know a win was on the cards, at home this weekend they will be out for victory.
Cooke will be fresh after their last tie occurred on the 4th of February, just two games for them so far this year, dominant in their first tie of the cup where they managed a first win all year but their last tie they just struggled to get scores against UL, Wicklow have a solid defensive shape and Cooke will have a real test 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.