It will be a family affair for the Cahills when
Energia All-Ireland League title holders UL Bohemian make the short trip to Ennis in round 4. Meanwhile, there will be live coverage on
irishrugby+ of the meeting of Old Belvedere and Wicklow in Ballsbridge.
ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE WOMEN'S DIVISION – ROUND 4:
Saturday, October 25
Kick-off 5pm unless stated –
ENNIS (5th) v UL BOHEMIAN (2nd), Drumbiggle Road, 2pm
Energia All-Ireland League Season's Form: Ennis: WWL;
UL Bohemian: WWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Ennis: Points: Caoilfhionn Conway Morrissey 15;
Tries: Caoilfhionn Conway Morrissey 3;
UL Bohemian: Points: Alana McInerney 25;
Tries: Alana McInerney 5
Preview: A second Munster derby for Ennis in the space of three rounds. The visit of reigning champions UL Bohemian would have been circled on the calendar from a long way out, and
Gareth O'Hanlon's charges know that this will be a test of their development since earning promotion.
League of Ireland footballer
Aoibhín Donnelly comes in on the left wing, as the only change to the Ennis team that lost 33-12 away to Wicklow last week.
Caoilinn Cahill, whose older sister
Eilís is a front row star for UL and Munster, will be hoping to make an impact off the bench.
There are a number of Ennis links in the UL Bohs squad, not least the division's joint-top try scorer,
Alana McInerney (5), who enjoyed underage success with the Clare club.
Ava O'Malley and
Abigeal Connon both start, this week's changes also including Ireland prospects
Beth Buttimer and
Caitríona Finn.
Recent League Meetings - N/A
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: UL Bohemian to win
COOKE (8th) v GALWEGIANS (1st), Shaw's Bridge, 4pm
Energia All-Ireland League Season's Form: Cooke: LWL;
Galwegians: WWW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Cooke: Points: Shola Iluyemi 10;
Tries: Shola Iluyemi 2;
Galwegians: Points: Kila Curran Coleman 25;
Tries: Kila Curran Coleman 5
Preview: Cooke have fond memories of winning this corresponding fixture 24-21 in early March. They scored four tries that day, including a crucial bonus point one from captain
Megan Simpson, but Galwegians, on current form, are expected to extend their winning start to the new season.
One of the exciting players coming through for Cooke is Regent House School pupil
Shola Iluyemi, an Ulster Under-18 squad member last year who has scored two tries in as many All-Ireland League appearances. Galwegians will have to keep a close eye on her and her fellow forwards.
'Wegians are boosted by the return of Connacht starlet
Jemima Adams Verling, the number 8 who ran in four tries on her club debut against Wicklow. Head coach
Jack Clarke also brings
Sophie Cullen and
Saoirse Lawlor into the back-line, with Cullen pairing up with
Jemma Lees in the centre.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday, October 19, 2024: Galwegians 59 Cooke 22, Crowley Park; Saturday, March 8, 2025: Cooke 24 Galwegians 21, Shaw's Bridge
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Galwegians to win
BLACKROCK COLLEGE (4th) v BALLINCOLLIG (6th), Stradbrook
Energia All-Ireland League Season's Form: Blackrock College: LWW;
Ballincollig: LLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Blackrock College: Points: Maggie Boylan, Maeve Óg O'Leary 15 each;
Tries: Maggie Boylan, Maeve Óg O'Leary 3 each;
Ballincollig: Points: Aoife Madigan 15;
Tries: Aoife Madigan 3
Preview: There are three 5pm kick-offs in the division, and Blackrock College's early evening encounter with Ballincollig is part of a double header with the senior Men's team. Ireland Sevens star
Megan Burns will play her first AIL game in three years, starting on the right wing for Blackrock.
The hosts also hand starts to Canadian centre
Trinity Todd, and
Niamh Tester, Megan Brodie, and
Carrie O'Keeffe in the forwards. Ballincollig struggled when coming up against Blackrock last season, shipping a lot of points. Their defence has looked much improved of late.
Vicki Good will start for 'Collig on the left wing, rewarded for her try against Cooke. However, captain
Aoife Madigan and
Awatere McLean-Wanoa are two big absentees this week. Ireland U-18 international
Orlaith Morrissy comes in at number 8, and
Fia Whelan is handed the reins at out-half.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday, November 16, 2024: Ballincollig 5 Blackrock College 68, Tanner Park; Saturday, February 8, 2025: Blackrock College 93 Ballincollig 0, Blackrock College school 4G pitch
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Blackrock College to win
OLD BELVEDERE (7th) v WICKLOW (3rd), Ollie Campbell Park (live on irishrugby+)
Energia All-Ireland League Season's Form: Old Belvedere: WLL;
Wicklow: WLW
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Old Belvedere: Points: Ellie O'Sullivan Sexton 6;
Tries: Hannah Clarke 2;
Wicklow: Points: Vicky Elmes Kinlan 20;
Tries: Vicky Elmes Kinlan 4
Preview: Old Belvedere's back-line is bursting with Ireland Sevens talent for this Leinster derby with Wicklow.
Katie Corrigan and
Robyn O'Connor combine in a new centre partnership, and Paris Olympian
Amy Larn anchors a back-three that features
Hannah Clarke and
Katie Whelan out wide.
Chasing their first win in three rounds, Belvedere also welcome back Ireland Rugby World Cup squad member
Ivana Kiripati at number 8.
Wicklow have never beaten 'Belvo in All-Ireland League action, but they did memorably edge them out 18-17 to win the Shield competition in April 2023.
Dual international
Vicky Elmes Kinlan and
Robyn Johnston team up in the centre for
Jason Moreton's side, with
Roisin Stone reverting to the right wing. The experienced
Erin McConnell returns at scrum half, and
Lorraine Voorbach and recent Leinster debutant
Ciara Short are the two changes in the pack.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday, November 9, 2024: Old Belvedere 45 Wicklow 12, Ollie Campbell Park; Saturday, February 15, 2025: Wicklow 12 Old Belvedere 25, Ashtown Lane
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Old Belvedere to win
RAILWAY UNION (10th) v TULLOW (9th), Park Avenue
Energia All-Ireland League Season's Form: Railway Union: LLL;
Tullow: LLL
Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers – Railway Union: Points: Nikki Caughey 16;
Tries: Emily Gavin 2;
Tullow: Points: France Bloomfield 6;
Tries: Roisin O'Toole, Alex O'Brien, Katie Ann O'Neill, Chloe Farrell, Emma Carroll, Nicola Kilcoyne 1 each
Preview: Railway Union have ground to make up - there is a 10-point gap to the top four - after a winless early run. Tullow are certainly a better team than they were when they last visited Sandymount in mid-February, but the hosts are heavy favourites to get the show back on the road.
Claire Boles will make her seasonal debut for Railway at number 8, back on club duty after playing at the recent Rugby World Cup. There are starts too for promising youngsters
Hannah Scanlan and
Hannah Johnston, while Leinster's
Leah Tarpey is set to be sprung from the bench.
Nicola Kilcoyne's try as a replacement against Galwegians has earned her a start in Tullow's front row. With
Grace Kelly and
Sara Rennick both ruled out,
Lana Brennan will captain the Carlow women from scrum half.
Destiny Moses, Gabby Cuddy, and
Orla Hanlon make it four personnel changes.
Recent League Meetings - Saturday, November 9, 2024: Tullow 0 Railway Union 106, Blackgates; Saturday, February 15, 2025: Railway Union 86 Tullow 0, Park Avenue
IrishRugby.ie Prediction: Railway Union to win
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