In the final weekend of action in the Women’s Energia AIL Cup Series, Galwegians, Blackrock College and Wicklow are all aiming to secure a spot in the plate final as the race for silverware comes to an end.
Ballincollig V Galwegians, Sat 8th April, Tanner Park, 3pm
Galwegians jumped up to third last weekend and now aim for another strong result to keep them in contention for the Plate final.
Ballincollig will aim to end the year on a positive note, they are playing for no silverware but can certainly put in a solid showing to end the year with a second win in the cup.
Wegians can make it a five game unbeaten run before they enter a second final this year, if they get a result it will either be a repeat of the Conference Final or they will have to face the current holders.
Suttonians V Cooke, Sat 8th April, JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds, 3pm
Sutts and Cooke have nothing to play for on the final day but will both look to end the year with a win.
Sutts are bottom still aiming for a result this year, no wins or a draw in their seven has been a tough cup campaign, having had a decent league campaign just missing out on the conference final, they have failed to bring that form to the cup.
Cooke have been a lot more competitive in the cup but Old Belvedere winning last weekend ended their hopes of making another cup final, having been in the plate final last year they were unable to contest silverware this time around, a win here and they have a solid end to the season.
Blackrock College V Wicklow, Sat 8th April, Stradbrook, 5pm
A heavyweight tie in Stradbrook as both are bidding to be in the Plate Final.
Win or Draw and Blackrock will make the Plate Final and the chance to defend their crown, the league champions have struggled to keep that form alive but ending the series with a win here would be a positive ending if it is Wegians to meet them.
Wicklow have three possible outcomes to make the Plate Final, the first is obviously win this tie, however if they suffer defeat they would need Galwegians to lose and hope to grab two bonus points, a draw is the third outcome from the tie that can suit them but again it would mean Wegians suffer defeat, they will know that outcome come kick off.
UL Bohemian V Old Belvedere, Sat 8th April, Annacotty, 5pm
Two Cup finalists meet in the final game of the weekend’s action, booth bidding for a positive result ahead of their respective silverware showdown.
UL suffered their only defeat of the cup last weekend to Railway, in a second half tirade they suffered defeat and with the same opponents waiting in the final, they need to bounce back and get a result against Belvo.
Belvedere have struggled at times in the cup but a three game winning streak has seen them make the Shield Final, they aim to make it four and topple a strong UL side, they finished above them in the league and are aiming to best them to end on a high.
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.