The Women’s Energia All Ireland league resumes this weekend after the Christmas break with Railway Union, UL Bohemian, Blackrock College and Old Belvedere beginning their round robin series for the title while the bottom six sides start their conference competition.
Blackrock College v Old Belvedere, Stradbrook, Saturday 15th January, 5pm.
The Round Robin series begins this weekend as Belvo take the short journey to Stradbrook to face their Dublin rivals. The two sides met just over a month ago which ended in a 17-7 win for Rock thanks to tries from Tess Meade, Meadbh Scally and Lisa Mullen.
Blackrock were one of the few sides in action over the new year where they played league rivals’ Railway Union in the All Ireland League Cup. Railway defeated Rock by a score of 24 points to 14 and Blackrock will be keen to bounce back when the league resumes this weekend.
Belvo’s Jenny Murphy and Lesley Ring have both been in fine form this season and will be looking to start their 2022 off as they finished 2021.
Railway Union v UL Bohemian, Willow Lodge, Saturday 15th January, 5pm.
The league’s top two sides face off this weekend at Willow Lodge in the AIL Round Robin series where Railway will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign. Railway defeated Blackrock College last weekend in the All Ireland League Cup.
The Dublin 4 side defeated UL Bohemian 37-10 back in October and there’s no doubt that this will be a great game between two of the country’s top sides. Railway will be looking towards their experienced players this weekend with 37 time capped, Irish international Lindsay Peat starting in the back row.
Aoife Doyle and Amanda McQuade have also been enjoying some fine form. Railway will need to be wary of the threat coming from UL Bohemian’s forwards Chloe Pearse and Claire Barrett who have been in good try scoring form of late.
Wicklow RFC v Galwegians, Ashtown Lane, Saturday 15th January, 5pm.
The Garden County outfit welcome Galwegians to Ashtown Lane for both sides’ first game in the conference competition.
Wicklow finished the 2021 year in bottom place after just two wins from nine games in their debut AIL campaign. Galwegians finished in fifth place after four wins from their nine fixtures. The two sides met just over a month ago resulting in a 22-7 win for Galwegians at Crowley Park.
Wicklow’s Ella Roberts recently made her Irish debut and her pace in the backline for the home side could cause this Galwegians side some trouble throughout. Wicklow will be hoping that the home advantage could swing the tie in their favour this weekend.
Malone v Ballincollig, Gibson Park, Saturday 15th January, 5pm.
Ballincollig face a long trip north to Belfast this weekend to face Malone. The Ulster side finished just two points ahead of eight placed Ballincollig in the run-in before Christmas.
Malone came out winners when the two sides met in Tanner Park at the end of November thanks to tries from Emma Jordan, Anna Stanfield, Neve Jones and a brace of tries from Holly Brannigan, but the Cork side will be eager to start their 2022 off with a big away win.
Cooke v Suttonians, Shaws Bridge, Saturday 15th January, 5pm.
Suttonians travel to Shaws Bridge to face Cooke in the final game of the weekend. Suttonians ended their league campaign in sixth place, a place ahead of Cooke but both sides will be keen to prove that they have what it takes to win the conference competition.
Suttonians winger Molly Fitzgerald has shown her try scoring ability frequently this campaign and if the away side manage to find the pacey winger in space, they could cause this Cooke side havoc. The side from the capital defeated Cooke 28-12 the last time these two sides met.
Luke Delaney
Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.