Women’s Cup Hots Up As Holders Knocked Out

The Women’s All-Ireland Cup opened right up at quarter-final stage as defending champions Galwegians and this season’s league winners Old Belvedere were both knocked out.

The quarter-final stage of the Women’s All-Ireland Cup proved very eventful last weekend. A number of Ireland internationals sat out the action as they prepare for their upcoming match against Wales but the action was no less intense.

Home advantage proved no comfort for cup holders Galwegians as they were beaten on a scoreline of 14-7 by a strong Blackrock side.

League title holders Old Belvedere were on the road and were edged out 10-7 in a tight encounter with Highfield. Former standard bearers UL Bohemians proved too strong for Ballincollig and were in impressive form to run out 47-5 winners.

Railway Union and Cooke were neck and neck at half time but the Dublin side put the squeeze on in the second half to take the semi-final spot by 20-5.

In the Shield competition, St. Mary’s were convincing winners against Nenagh Ormond, winning 32-12. They will now play New Ross in the semi-finals after they saw off St. Senan’s 10-5.

On the other side of the draw, Queen’s University travelled to Portlaoise to take on the combined team, Port Dara. Queen’s proved why they are one of the up-amd-coming teams in Ulster, winning 14-0 on the day. Queen’s now await the winners of New Ross and St. Mary’s to see if the Shield can go north this year.

In the Plate quarter-finals, Rathdrum hit top gear versus Dungarvan/Youghal, outscoring them by 58 points to nil. They now play Shannon in the first of the Plate semi-finals.

Old Belvedere J1s team came out 10-8 winners versus Fermoy and will now host Enniskillen who beat their Ulster counterparts, City of Derry, on a 10-5 scoreline.

WOMEN’S ALL-IRELAND CUP SEMI-FINALS: Sunday, March 15

Highfield v UL Bohemians
Railway Union v Blackrock College

WOMEN’S ALL-IRELAND SHIELD SEMI-FINALS: Sunday, March 15

New Ross v St. Mary’s
Queen’s walkover v Tralee

WOMEN’S ALL-IRELAND PLATE SEMI-FINALS: Sunday, March 15

Old Belvedere J1 v Enniskillen
Rathdrum v Shannon