Galwegians have been crowned the 2023 AIL Women's Plate Champions, as they overcame a stern Blackrock College side in Crowley Park this afternoon.

It was a very dramatic but entertaining challenge out West by both teams, with the Galway side despite finishing the tie with 14 players on the field, edging the frantic fast paced plate final, a bitter sweet day for Mairéad Coyne and Mary Healy on their final game for the club.

Tries from Ursula Sammon and Mairead Coyne had given the Blue Belles a 13-7 lead at the break, as Eimear Corri crossed for the visitors, Corri sniped over shortly into the second half but tired from Emily Gavin and Fiona Scally helped Wegians avoid a late scare as Abbey Moyles had gotten over for the visitors.

Galwegians had the perfect start to the tie, as with three minutes elapsed on the clock, Rock were penalised and Nicole Fowley was given a penalty in front of the posts and she made no mistake to convert for a 3-0 lead.

Blackrock however were here to fight as they hit back on the counter with a try by Eimear Corri and the conversion from Lisa Mullen helped push them into a 7-3 lead just minutes later.

Wegians had a fair share of possession but tried to work the scores well, coming up against the Plate holders, they were out to ensure a win to bring more silverware to the women’s side of the table this year, a lovely chip over the top from Mairead Coyne, was gathered by Ursula Sammon and she made no mistakes powering over for their first try putting them in the lead 8-7 as the conversion went wide.

It was nip and tuck between the sides as we entered a lull period, with the Galway side dealt a blow as Fowley was taken off but would soon return, not long after Fowley went off they were in again as Coyne who played  apart in the opening try for Wegians, was on hand to intercept a Blackrock move and scamper in for their second, again their conversion was wide but a 13-7 lead at the break was a big boost for them.

Into the second half and the combination of Corri and Mullen put seven more points on the board for Rock as they regained the lead, minutes later Wegians lost prop Niamh O'Grady to the bin down to 14 they were battling hard and minutes later half time sub Emily Gavin used her fresh legs to pump the legs and get under the post and the con was good from the returning Fowley, who pushed the hosts ahead 20-14.

After the hour mark O’Grady was shown a second yellow card and with that her marching orders as Wegians who had 14 on the field while she was in the bin, now had to play the rest without her, but just three minutes later they hit rock again, as Fiona Scally crossed the whitewash for another big try, the conversion struck the upright but with just over ten left, Galwegians were beginning to believe.

Into the dying minutes Abby Moyles raced in for Blackrock’s third try of the contest, a big score from the full back, as she left just six between the sides after the conversion attempt tailed wide.

But it was not to be for the current holders, Wegoiand defended well in the dying minutes and when the final whistle sounded scenes of joy and jubilation as they were crowned 2023 Plate Champions.