Women’s All-Ireland League: Round 10 Review

WOMEN’S ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE – ROUND 10: January 20-21

UL BOHEMIANS 29 RAILWAY UNION 12, University of Limerick 4G pitch

In truth, both UL Bohemians and Railway Union were severely depleted, given the number of players on international duty this weekend with the Ireland 15s and Sevens, but Bohs still managed to field the more dynamic team and ran in five tries over the course of the game.

Both sides began rather nervously which was understandable given the importance of the occasion, before Bohs opened the scoring with an unconverted try from Niamh Kavanagh. Railway hit back with a try from Kate O’Dwyer to leave it five points apiece at half-time and everything to play for in the second half.

The Limerick women were much the better side after the resumption and tries from Chloe Pearse, Laura O’Mahony and the excellent Aine Staunton left the reigning champions well clear and with a bonus point in the bag.

Railway were not prepared to give up without a fight and they replied with a try from industrious captain Meg Kendal, but Bohs closed out the game with a try by Laura Sheehan as they moved five points at the top of the table.

COOKE 34 TULLAMORE 10, Shaw’s Bridge

The Belfast side recorded a well-merited and vital 34-10 bonus point victory over the Offaly women on home soil despite the best efforts of the visitors.

Cooke needed a boost after some recent reversals and produced a top-drawer performance to claim the spoils. They rejigged their selection for this encounter and the shake-up worked wonders. Tullamore came into the game on the back of some very good recent displays but were overpowered in Belfast despite hard-earned tries from Emer Phelan and Clodagh Hanniffy.

Cooke’s brick-wall defence laid the platform for their latest success, while two first half tries from Amy Graham, who shone in the centre, set the standard in attack for the victors. Her centre partner Brittany Hogan put in some momentum-changing tackles.

The hosts went on to secure the bonus point in the second half, aided by the strong carrying and relentless hard work of Lauren Magennis and Helen McGhee. The strength of Alanagh Chipperfield proved too much as she powered over the whitewash from a pick-and-go.

Hogan’s smashing runs from midfield allowed Cooke to move the ball quickly to the wing and score through Emma Jordan after she was sent on from the bench. They kept pressing for scores late on and Jemma Jackson, who shifted to scrum half, cleverly chipped the defence and gathered the bouncing ball to close out the game with Cooke’s fifth try, which she also converted.

HIGHFIELD 22 GALWEGIANS 14, Woodleigh Park

Highfield battled their way to a crucial 22-14 win on home soil. The Cork women, who have climbed above Tullamore at the foot of the table, were deserving winners and must be commended for their attitude following a disappointing display in the previous round.

Galwegians came south in confident mood but Highfield secured a solid and impressive triumph thanks to an excellent squad display. First half tries from Heather O’Brien and Alice Brislane left Highfield in a great position and they kicked on after the resumption with another O’Brien try before one from Linda McNamara sealed the deal.

Galwegians ended the match with two converted tries to their name courtesy of Denise Redmond and Sarah Cassidy with Redmond adding both conversions, but the Blues were left bitterly disappointed at the final whistle.

BLACKROCK v OLD BELVEDERE, Stradbrook (match postponed due to unplayable pitch)

– UL Bohemians v Railway Union photos by Colbert O’Sullivan

WOMEN’S ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE – ROUND 11 FIXTURES:

Sunday, January 28 –

COOKE (4th) v HIGHFIELD (7th), Shaw’s Bridge, 1pm

GALWEGIANS (6th) v UL BOHEMIANS (1st), Crowley Park, 1pm

RAILWAY UNION (2nd) v BLACKROCK (5th), Park Avenue, 1pm

TULLAMORE (8th) v OLD BELVEDERE (3rd), Spollanstown, 1pm

Related Links –

Women’s All-Ireland League Results/Fixtures

Women’s All-Ireland League Table