A DRAW AND three close encounters helped to create a thrilling afternoon of Women’s AIL action.
Entertaining and high quality rugby was played across all four fixtures despite the absence of many of Ireland’s household names such as Niamh Briggs from club duty due to yesterday’s Autumn International loss against England at the Twickenham Stoop, such is the growing strength in depth across the country in the women’s club game.
League leaders and pace setters Blackrock still remain unbeaten but they were held to a draw by a feisty Railway Union side in Stradbrook. In an extremely physical encounter both sides showed their defensive prowess in windy conditions.
The hosts’ inside centre Carrie Hanley played out of her first choice position of outside centre due to the inclusion of Jeamie Deacon in Ireland’s starting line up on Saturday, showed class in both her defensive heroics in the first half as well her danger in attack as she landed her side’s opening score after 38 minutes. Michelle Claffey, playing at 13 missed the conversion.
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Railway were missing seven first choice due to both the XV’s and sevens international action this weekend. However, 20-year-old lock Kate McCarthy in just her third senior All Ireland League game fitted in seamlessly into the second row berth vacated by the explosive Ciara Cooney who won her first Ireland cap on Saturday. McCarthy’s work rate and tackle count helped Railway nullify Blackrock’s attacking threat.
Railway played the waiting game and outside centre former 400 metre runner and two-time Irish Olympian Martina McCarthy dotted down. Fullback Claire Ryan was also unable to add the extras leaving the scores level with less than ten minutes on the clock.
Referee Sue Carthy had her hands full in the closing minutes and Railway’s prop Aoife Maher was yellow carded at 76 minutes. However, Blackrock had to settle for a draw more resolute defence from the visitors.
Galwegians home encounter with U.L. Bohemian had to be moved from a waterlogged Crowley Park to the 4G pitches at the University of Limerick. Despite effectively losing their home advantage the women from the west dazzled in the first half scoring four tries to Bohs’ one.
Notable amongst these first half try scorers were was one from Galwegians’ scrum half Mary Healy who had earned her international first cap off the bench on Saturday.
The old game of two halves cliché proved to be through as U.L. Bohs sparked back into life with four second half tries including a brace from wing Liz Burke.
With the match poised at 20-25 in favour of the Limerick side, inside centre Emma Cleary levelled the scores. Up to that point in the match, every conversion attempt had been missed due to the blustery conditions. However, Clare Rafferty proved to be her side’s heroine when she nailed the conversion to seal victory for Galwegians.
St Mary’s were left stunned by a spirited Queens University performance which led to the Belfast side’s first win of the campaign with a final score line of 17-24. However, due to the host picking up a losing bonus point, Queens remain at the bottom of the competition table.
After making the long journey to Cork, Cooke sprang a 15 points to 12 win over Highfield in Woodleigh Park thanks in part to a strong two try performance from former Ireland international Eliza Downey.
Blackrock still unbeaten after a crazy afternoon of Women's AIL action
Women’s AIL Round 7
A DRAW AND three close encounters helped to create a thrilling afternoon of Women’s AIL action.
Entertaining and high quality rugby was played across all four fixtures despite the absence of many of Ireland’s household names such as Niamh Briggs from club duty due to yesterday’s Autumn International loss against England at the Twickenham Stoop, such is the growing strength in depth across the country in the women’s club game.
League leaders and pace setters Blackrock still remain unbeaten but they were held to a draw by a feisty Railway Union side in Stradbrook. In an extremely physical encounter both sides showed their defensive prowess in windy conditions.
The hosts’ inside centre Carrie Hanley played out of her first choice position of outside centre due to the inclusion of Jeamie Deacon in Ireland’s starting line up on Saturday, showed class in both her defensive heroics in the first half as well her danger in attack as she landed her side’s opening score after 38 minutes. Michelle Claffey, playing at 13 missed the conversion.
Railway were missing seven first choice due to both the XV’s and sevens international action this weekend. However, 20-year-old lock Kate McCarthy in just her third senior All Ireland League game fitted in seamlessly into the second row berth vacated by the explosive Ciara Cooney who won her first Ireland cap on Saturday. McCarthy’s work rate and tackle count helped Railway nullify Blackrock’s attacking threat.
Railway played the waiting game and outside centre former 400 metre runner and two-time Irish Olympian Martina McCarthy dotted down. Fullback Claire Ryan was also unable to add the extras leaving the scores level with less than ten minutes on the clock.
Referee Sue Carthy had her hands full in the closing minutes and Railway’s prop Aoife Maher was yellow carded at 76 minutes. However, Blackrock had to settle for a draw more resolute defence from the visitors.
Galwegians home encounter with U.L. Bohemian had to be moved from a waterlogged Crowley Park to the 4G pitches at the University of Limerick. Despite effectively losing their home advantage the women from the west dazzled in the first half scoring four tries to Bohs’ one.
Notable amongst these first half try scorers were was one from Galwegians’ scrum half Mary Healy who had earned her international first cap off the bench on Saturday.
The old game of two halves cliché proved to be through as U.L. Bohs sparked back into life with four second half tries including a brace from wing Liz Burke.
With the match poised at 20-25 in favour of the Limerick side, inside centre Emma Cleary levelled the scores. Up to that point in the match, every conversion attempt had been missed due to the blustery conditions. However, Clare Rafferty proved to be her side’s heroine when she nailed the conversion to seal victory for Galwegians.
St Mary’s were left stunned by a spirited Queens University performance which led to the Belfast side’s first win of the campaign with a final score line of 17-24. However, due to the host picking up a losing bonus point, Queens remain at the bottom of the competition table.
After making the long journey to Cork, Cooke sprang a 15 points to 12 win over Highfield in Woodleigh Park thanks in part to a strong two try performance from former Ireland international Eliza Downey.
Sexton’s struggles, quiet leaders and more talking points from Leinster’s loss
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