Energia All-Ireland League Women's Divisions: Round 3 Review

Aoife Corey Of UL Bohemian On The Run
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Old Belvedere claimed a statement victory away to Railway Union in the third round of the Energia All-Ireland League Women's Division 1A, while Blackrock College and UL Bohemian produced strong wins against Galwegians and Wicklow respectively. In Division 1B, MU Barnhall continued their impressive home form with a convincing win over Tullow, Ballincollig overcame Ennis in a competitive encounter, and Enniskillen staged a second-half comeback to defeat Cooke.

 

Old Belvedere emerged with a 33-20 victory over Railway Union at Park Avenue, with Katie Whelan crossing twice in a five-try performance.

 

Railway made the brighter start through Sydney Davis, who opened the scoring in the 16th minute, but Belvedere responded immediately when Katie Corrigan crossed just a minute later.

 

Ellen Jane O'Sullivan Sexton converted before Clare Gorman added a second try in the 27th minute.

 

Whelan crossed for her first try shortly before the interval, with O'Sullivan Sexton again converting to establish a 21-5 half-time advantage.

 

Railway responded after the restart through Aimee Clarke, but Belvedere quickly restored their advantage when Elisa McGabhann crossed in the 55th minute.

 

Poppy Garvey added Railway's third try shortly afterwards, but Whelan completed her double in the 75th minute to put the visitors firmly in control.

 

Ava Usanova crossed in stoppage time for Railway, but Belvedere had already done enough to secure an impressive away victory.

 

Blackrock College delivered the biggest winning margin in Division 1A, defeating Galwegians 48-7 at Stradbrook.

 

Maggie Boylan opened the hosts' account in the 15th minute. Kate Farrell McCabe added a try in the 27th minute before replacement Ava Fannin added another try shortly before the interval as Blackrock established a 19-0 half-time lead.

 

The hosts continued to dominate after the restart, with Meabh Deely and Sarah Delaney crossing in quick succession. Galwegians responded through Gemma Faulkner in the 59th minute, with Siofra Hession converting, but Blackrock maintained their attacking momentum.

 

Brogan Mior crossed twice within four minutes before replacement Destiny Moses added another try in the 73rd minute.

 

UL Bohemian also produced an impressive attacking performance, defeating Wicklow 43-19 at Ashtown Lane.

 

Ciara O'Dwyer opened the scoring after seven minutes before Claire Bennett added another try in the 20th minute.

 

Wicklow responded through Jamie Church, with Beth Roberts converting, but UL Bohs finished the opening half strongly.

 

O'Dwyer completed her double in the 36th minute before Chisom Ugwueru crossed two minutes later, giving the visitors a commanding 24-7 interval advantage.

 

Captain Kate Flannery added another try shortly after the restart before Aoife Corey crossed in the 57th minute.

 

Church responded with her second try for Wicklow, but Stephanie Nunan added UL Bohs' seventh try in the 67th minute. Usha Daly O'Toole crossed in stoppage time for Wicklow, with Roberts converting, but the visitors secured a bonus-point victory.

 

In Division 1B, MU Barnhall produced a dominant display to defeat Tullow 36-7 at Parsonstown, running in six tries.

 

Tullow made the perfect start when Roisin Kinch crossed after just five minutes, with Hilary Fitzgerald converting to establish an early 7-0 advantage.

 

However, Barnhall responded almost immediately through Amy Rushton before Emma Brogan crossed in the 21st minute. Holly Leach added another try on the stroke of half-time, with Abby Healy converting to give the hosts a 19-7 interval advantage.

 

Barnhall maintained their momentum after the restart, with Leach completing her double in the 50th minute. Emer Sweetnam then crossed twice in the space of six minutes to put the result beyond doubt.

 

Ballincollig secured a hard-fought 23-14 victory over Ennis at Tanner Park, with a late try from Brighid Twohig sealing the result.

 

Ennis opened the scoring through Lyndsay Clarke in the 23rd minute, with Fia Whelan converting.

 

Ballincollig responded through Erin Ridgway six minutes later before captain Amelia Green crossed shortly before the interval. Clarke completed her double in first-half stoppage time, with Whelan again converting to keep Ennis firmly in contention.

 

Emma Connolly added a penalty for Ballincollig shortly after the restart before Grace Kingston crossed in the 65th minute.

 

Ennis remained within striking distance during the closing stages, but Twohig's try six minutes into stoppage time ensured Ballincollig secured the victory.

 

Enniskillen produced a strong second-half comeback to defeat Cooke 12-5 at Shaw's Bridge.

 

The hosts made the better start when Molly Boyd crossed in the tenth minute, establishing a 5-0 advantage that Cooke maintained until half-time.

 

However, Enniskillen responded shortly after the restart when Zara Flack crossed in the 43rd minute.

 

Eve Balfour added the conversion to put the visitors ahead for the first time.

 

Leah Irwin extended Enniskillen's advantage with another try in the 51st minute, giving the visitors a seven-point cushion.

 

Cooke battled to find a response during the closing stages, but Enniskillen's defence held firm to complete the comeback and secure a valuable away victory.