The Women’s Energia All Ireland League returns this weekend with top four leaders Blackrock College looking to extend their lead at the top of the table against Ul Bohemian.
Railway Union will be eager to bounce back following their first defeat of the campaign, when they host Old Belvedere at Willow Road. Galwegians and Suttonians lead the way in the conference competition after two bonus point wins in a row and they meet this weekend at the JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds.
UL Bohemian v Blackrock College, Saturday 29th January, UL Arena, 5pm.
UL Bohemian can go top of the top four’s round robin series with a win over current leaders Blackrock College. The Limerick side narrowly lost to Railway Union in their first game of the series but bounced back to form last week with a bonus point victory over Old Belvedere. Bohs’ Chloe Pearse and Enya Breen are in terrific form of late with two tries each last weekend. Rock secured a surprise 16-13 victory over title favourites Railway last week thanks to a try from Meabh Deely and 11 points from the boot of Hannah O’Connor. A win for them this weekend will strengthen their case to become champions at the end of the campaign.
Railway Union v Old Belvedere, Saturday 29th January, Willow Lodge, 5pm.
Railway Union fell to their first defeat of the season last weekend at the hands of Blackrock College despite a brace of tries from Tess Feury. A win for Railway will see them move into second place after three games. Belvo’s Sene Naoupu and Rachel Winters have been in good form recently despite results not going their way. Railway defeated Old Belvedere 43-8 the last time the sides met back in December. The visitors will have a tough task on their hands if they are to shock Railway Union into their second defeat of the campaign.
Ballincollig v Cooke, Saturday 29th January, Tanner Park, 2pm.
Collig are sitting two points adrift of tied leaders Suttonians and Galwegians after an impressive start to the season. Tries from Sarah O’Donovan and Clare Coombes proved to be the difference for Ballincollig in last week’s narrow victory over Wicklow at Ashtown Lane. Cooke are still searching for their first win of the campaign and fell to a disappointing 27-7 defeat against Galwegians last time out. Hannah Downey was on the scoresheet again for her side and Cooke will need their scrum half in top form this weekend if they’re to beat the Cork side.
Malone v Wicklow RFC, Saturday 29th January, Gibson Park, 5pm.
Both Malone and Wicklow will be eager to kick their conference campaign into gear with a first win of the competition this weekend. Sarah Gleeson and Ella Roberts were on the scoresheet for Wicklow in the 17-14 defeat to Ballincollig last week and will need the pair to be in the same try scoring form for their visit to Belfast. Malone fell to a 46-5 loss to Suttonians last week and will need a different performance this weekend if they’re to overturn the improving Wicklow.
Suttonians v Galwegians, Saturday 29th January, JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds, 5pm.
The Conference League’s top two go head-to-head this weekend in what is expected to be a tight, evenly matched game. Both sides have enjoyed bonus point wins in recent weeks with Suttonians trashing Malone last week and Galwegians out classing Cooke. Molly Fitzgerald, Mary Healy and Lena Kibler have been playing some great rugby recently and the Dublin side will need the trio in their usual try scoring form this weekend. Wegians’ Rhiann Heery has been a standout performer for the Crowley Park outfit in recent weeks and scored a brace of tries in last week’s win. Emma Keane’s kicking has also been a huge asset for Galwegians.
Luke Delaney
Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.