Week 2 of the Women’s AIL Season will see Railway Union, Cooke and Suttonians all getting their campaigns underway in earnest, while UL and Ballincollig hope to keep their winning streak alive.
Old Belvedere v Wicklow, Ollie Campbell Park, 4pm
Having both suffered losses in their opening season encounters last weekend, it will look to be a game of better fortunes for Belvo and Wicklow as they meet in the earliest of today’s kick-offs.
Belvedere last narrowly to Blackrock last weekend in what was a high scoring entertaining contest that could have easily seen them pick up the win but it was not to be.
Wicklow were beaten by 20 points on home soil by UL and now face a trip to be capital hoping to once again overcome one of the “top four” sides. Last year they did it twice in the Energia Cup series, however in the league they are yet to defeat Old Belvedere in their previous two meetings.
Ballincollig v Suttonians, Tanner Park, 5pm
Suttonians kick off their season with an away trip to Leeside having to face a Ballincollig side looking to build on their momentum from last week’s four-try win against Galwegians.
It was the ideal start for Ballincollig to the season looking more than convincing to defeat Galwegians out West. Now comes another test for the side, one win last year in the league has already been matched but they could make steady progress with a win this evening.
Sutts finished just ahead of their opponents in the standings last year and with some new exciting additions to their squad, notably Leomie Kloppers in at Lock they look to make ground early. Ulster pair Rachael McIllroy and Brenda Barr both feature for the visitors, as they look to make it three wins in a row in the league against the Munster outfit.
Railway Union v Cooke, Park Avenue, 5pm
Last year’s beaten finalists Railway Union get their campaign underway at Park Avenue this evening hoping to put in a convincing performance against last year’s bottom placed side.
It will be a new look to the Union management as they begin life under new head coach Stephen Costelloe. Railway dominated the cup campaign to end their season on a high and look to build on that with some serious firepower in their ranks.
Connacht have a strong presence in their squad with Ava Ryder, Rhiann Heery, Grainne O’Loughlin, Emily Gavin and Faith Oviawe all having donned the jersey during the Interpros. The Likes of Stephanie Carroll, Nikki Caughey and Deirdre Roberts in the back-line also bring serious quality. Despite their list of those unavailable they continue to look like a real force.
After two heavy defeats to Railway in the league back to back, Cooke will hope to put on a more impressive performance this evening. It will be a daunting task for the Ulster side to overcome Railway but they will be out to impress. 63-0 in 2022 and 88-0 last term were crushing defeats and they will be out to not repeat that this evening.
UL Bohemian v Galwegians, Annacotty, 5pm
Victory last weekend for the Red Robins has them top of the standings going into the second round of fixtures, as Galwegians travel down to Shannonside looking to avenge last weekend’s loss.
It was a tale of contrasting fortunes for both last Saturday, UL winning by 20 in a five try blitz of Wicklow, while Wegians squandered their lead in the second half to fall to defeat.
UL welcome back Stephanie Nunan to their squad ahead of this contest, she returned to her usual inside centre role having missed the Wicklow game. Kate Flannery moves to 10 as the Limerick outfit hope to go two from two.
Wegians hope not to suffer consecutive defeats to Munster sides in the competition this evening, they have made a host of changes to compete against a strong UL side. French winger Zorya Surguet will make her AIL debut for the Galway side hoping to cause some issues for Bohs down the flanks.
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.