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Galwegians book AIL Conference final spot while Old Belvedere secure first league win of 2022

The Conference decider and the overall league final will both televised live on TG4 next week.

Energia Womenโ€™s All-Ireland League Round-Up

Galwegians are bound for Energia Park after qualifying for the Energia Womenโ€™s All-Ireland League Conference final courtesy of a comprehensive 50-5 victory over Ballincollig.

With the teams sitting second and third in the table respectively, it was Galwegians who won through to face unbeaten table-toppers Suttonians for silverware next Saturday.

The game is part of a tripleheader in Donnybrook, with the Conference decider and the overall league final between Blackrock College and Railway Union both televised live on TG4.

The changed venue of Creggs RFCโ€™s 4G pitch was very much to โ€˜Wegiansโ€™ liking, with strong-running backs Megan Walsh and Mairรฉad Coyne chipping in with a hat-trick of tries each.

grace-browne-moran-and-christine-arthurs Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Blackrock and a much-changed Railway completed the Top Four series at Blackrock schoolโ€™s all-weather surface, a Natasja Behan brace helping โ€˜Rock to go five-for-five with a 39-7 bonus point success.

Old Belvedere celebrated their first league win of 2022, Sene Naoupu raiding over from the right-wing in the seventh minute as they defeated UL Bohemians 22-12 at Energia Park.

Results have been hard to come by for Belvedere, but Deirbhile Nic a Bhairdโ€™s quick tap sparked the best out of their attack, Fiona Tuite and Brittany Hogan both making breaks before Aine Donnelly released Naoupu to score.

Johnny Garthโ€™s charges doubled their lead in the 13th minute, returning Ireland Sevens internationals Hogan, who strode through midfield, and Erin King again to the fore.

18-year-old flanker King flicked a terrific offload out of a double tackle for Elise Oโ€™Byrne-White to collect and burst past Sarah Quin for a well-taken unconverted try.

The excellent King was denied a try by a forward pass, but the Dubliners duly pushed into a 17-0 lead for half-time, pressing again on the back of a turnover penalty won by Nic a Bhaird.

Kathryn Daneโ€™s slick service from ruck to ruck paved the way for her half-back partner Donnelly to nip in beside the posts on an arcing run. Captain Jenny Murphy converted.

niamh-briggs James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Niamh Briggsโ€™ half-time words got Bohs back on track. They unfortunately lost Enya Breen, who shipped a heavy knock in contact, before some nice passing off a scrum played in Eimear Considine for an unconverted score.

Play became scrappier amid a prolonged rain shower, the UL pack growing in influence and a strong spell of carrying ended with replacement Lily Brady squeezing over from close range.

Rachel Allenโ€™s conversion made it a five-point game, but it was Allen whose pass was intercepted by Donnelly for a 40-metre run-in as Belvedere clinched a last-minute bonus point.

โ€˜Belvo and Bohs meet again at the same venue in the 3rd-4th place play-off, while Ballincollig and Cooke will have home advantage in the other play-off games.

Cooke were much improved in seeing off Malone 31-3, number 8 Helen McGhee crossing twice ahead of the sidesโ€™ rematch at Shawโ€™s Bridge.

Wicklow, who travel to โ€˜Collig in the battle for seventh place, lost 20-15 at home to Suttonians. Sisters Lauren and Kate Farrell McCabe had a try apiece for Sutts, the latter showing her Sevens speed for a brilliant breakaway effort.

The north Dublinersโ€™ efficiency in the red zone was the difference at Ashtown Lane, a simple overlap resulting in the opening try for left winger Lena Kibler in the corner.

Sutts were clinical again from their next visit to the 22, this time captain Lauren Farrell McCabe scoring from a quickly-taken penalty which took them 10 points clear.

Back came Wicklow, a big Lucy Mulhall carry almost getting them over before prop Kathy Byrne grounded the ball successfully. Beth Roberts converted and then, early in the second half, fired oved a levelling penalty.

However, two quick-fire tries from Kate Farrell McCabe, who managed to stay clear of the chasing Ella Roberts, and replacement Emily McKeown regained Suttoniansโ€™ 10-point advantage.

A smart Erin McConnell snipe gave the home crowd some hope heading into the closing stages. Centre Vicky Elmes Kinlan almost snatched an equalising try, but she was stopped short of the line and Sutts held out for their fifth straight win.

Energia Womenโ€™s AIL results

TOP FOUR โ€“ ROUND 5: Saturday, February 19

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 39 RAILWAY UNION 7, Blackrock College 4G pitch
Scorers for Blackrock College: Tries: Dorothy Wall, Michelle Claffey, Natasja Behan 2, Ali Coleman, Jackie Shiels; Cons: Meabh Deely 3; Pen: Meabh Deely
Scorers for Railway Union: Try: Katie Heffernan; Con: Nikki Caughey

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: Maggie Boylan; Meabh Deely, Michelle Claffey (capt), Ciara Scanlan, Maeve Liston; Lisa Mullen, Emily Lane; Aoife Moore, Niamh Tester, Christy Haney, Eimear Corri, Mairead Holohan, Dorothy Wall, Ali Coleman, Hannah Oโ€™Connor.

Replacements: Ann-Marie Rooney, Casey Oโ€™Brien, Meadbh Scally, Maeve ร“g Oโ€™Leary, Jackie Shiels, Natasja Behan, Katie Fitzhenry.

RAILWAY UNION: Aoife Oโ€™Shaughnessy; Ava Ryder, Erin Coll, Katie Heffernan, Tess Feury; Nikki Caughey, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Grainne Oโ€™Loughlin, Chloe Blackmore, Katie Oโ€™Dwyer, Sonia McDermott, Keelin Brady, Shannah Tiffoney, Emma Fabby, Grace Moore.

Replacements: Aimee Clarke, Megan Collis, Amanda McQuade, Kate McCarthy, Molly Boyne, Emer Oโ€™Mahony, Hazel Simmons.

OLD BELVEDERE 22 UL BOHEMIANS 12, Energia Park
Scorers for Old Belvedere: Tries: Sene Naoupu, Elise Oโ€™Byrne-White, Aine Donnelly 2; Con: Jenny Murphy
Scorers for UL Bohemians: Tries: Eimear Considine, Lily Brady; Con: Rachel Allen

OLD BELVEDERE: Fiona Tuite; Clare Gorman, Sene Naoupu, Jenny Murphy (capt), Elise Oโ€™Byrne-White; Aine Donnelly, Kathryn Dane; Alice Oโ€™Dowd, Vic Dabanovich Oโ€™Mahony, Melissa Hayden, Clodagh Dunne, Brittany Hogan, Erin King, Lesley Ring, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird.

Replacements: Christina Furlong, Amber Redmond, Ciara Oโ€™Dwyer, Niamh Oโ€™Dowd, Rachel Winters, Aoife Dalton, Laura Carty.

UL BOHEMIANS: Eimear Considine; Alana McInerney, Rachel Allen, Stephanie Nunan, Aoife Corey; Enya Breen, Louise Costello; Chloe Pearse (capt), Kate Sheehan, Fiona Reidy, Claire Bennett, Ciara Oโ€™Halloran, Sarah Garrett, Clodagh Oโ€™Halloran, Sarah Quin.

Replacements: Eilis Cahill, Caoimhe Oโ€™Neill, Lily Brady, Muirne Wall, Niamh Kavanagh, Aoibhinn Oโ€™Loughlin.

CONFERENCE โ€“ ROUND 5: Saturday, February 19

GALWEGIANS 50 BALLINCOLLIG 5, Creggs RFC
Try scorers for Galwegians: Tries: Megan Walsh 3, Mairรฉad Coyne 3, Sarah Oโ€™Connell, Grace Browne Moran; Cons: Nicole Fowley 5
Try scorers for Ballincollig: Try: Denise Redmond

GALWEGIANS: Mairรฉad Coyne (capt); Saskia Morrissey, Megan Walsh, Orla Dixon, Ursula Sammon; Nicole Fowley, Darwyn Oโ€™Halloran; Ellen Connolly, Nolwenn Dubois, Jessica Loftus, Niamh Oโ€™Grady, Grace Browne Moran, Elizabeth McNicholas, Lisa-Marie Murphy, Dearbhla Canty.

Replacements: Tracey Lawlor, Celia Killilea, Ann Marie Herward, Sarah Oโ€™Connell, Emma Keane, Laoise McGonagle, Olivia Haverty.

BALLINCOLLIG: Lauren Fahey; Heather Kennedy, Jayne Pennefather, Mona Fehily, Alison Kelly; Kelly Griffin, Gemma Lane; Alix Cunneen, Clodagh Walsh (capt), Roisin Ormond, Gillian Coombes, Eimear Perryman, Katelyn Fleming, Niamh Oโ€™Regan, Kira Fitzgerald.

Replacements: Aoife Flynn, Clare Coombes, Annie Laffan, Sarah Oโ€™Donovan, Denise Redmond, Christine Arthurs, Sinead Oโ€™Reilly.

MALONE 3 COOKE 31, Gibson Park
Scorers for Malone: Pen: Ella Durkan
Scorers for Cooke: Tries: Helen McGhee 2, Lucy Thompson, Ilse van Staden, Beth Cregan; Cons: Dolores Hughes 2, Amanda Morton

MALONE: Holly Brannigan; Jill Stephens, Emma Jordan, Ella Durkan, Anna Stanfield; Peita McAlister (capt), Rachael McIlroy; Sarah Murphy, Cara Oโ€™Neill, Anna Smith, Hannah Beattie, Rebecca Greenaway, Emma Taylor, Shirelle Wilson, Chloe McIlwaine.

Replacements: Ashleigh Currie, Katie Anne McCallion, Nicole Rafferty, Jana McQuillan.

COOKE: Dolores Hughes; Teah Maguire, Lucy Thompson, Kelly McCormill, Tamzin Boyce; Ashleigh Orchard, Georgia Boyce; Fiona McCaughan, Beth Cregan, Aishling Oโ€™Connell (capt), Caolinn McCormack, Sorcha Mac Laimhin, India Daley, Katie Hetherington, Helen McGhee.

Replacements: Ilse van Staden, Naomi McCord, Megan Simpson, Cara Oโ€™Kane, Amanda Morton, Eimear McQuillan, Chloe McMorran.

WICKLOW 15 SUTTONIANS 20, Ashtown Lane
Scorers for Wicklow: Tries: Kathy Byrne, Erin McConnell; Con: Beth Roberts; Pen: Beth Roberts
Scorers for Suttonians: Tries: Lena Kibler, Lauren Farrell McCabe, Kate Farrell McCabe, Emily McKeown

WICKLOW: Ella Roberts; Meagan Parkinson, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Lucy Mulhall, Sarah Gleeson; Beth Roberts, Erin McConnell (capt); Kathy Byrne, Noelle Ward, Lauren Barry, Jessica Schmidt, Caitlin Griffey, Emma Curran, Emily Ryan, Niamh Ni Dhroma.

Replacements: Amy Oโ€™Neill, Niamh Oโ€™Leary, Laura Newsome, Becky Condren, Megan McConnell, Saoirse Oโ€™Reilly.

SUTTONIANS: Nicole Carroll; Molly Fitzgerald, Kate Farrell McCabe, Catherine Martin, Lena Kibler; Jessica Kelleher, Lauren Farrell McCabe (capt); Julia Bauer, Julia Oโ€™Connor, Katie Reel, Brenda Barr, Grainne Tummon, Aislinn Layde, Louise Catinot, Ciara Farrell.

Replacements: Aoife Brennan, Katie Grant Duggan, Nicola Bolger, Ali Howick, Emily McKeown.

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    Mute Paul Mallon
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    Mar 21st 2023, 10:02 AM

    Eddieโ€™s just disappointed his profits are taking a hit.

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Mar 21st 2023, 10:22 AM

    @Paul Mallon: he is a business man in all fairness.

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    Mute P M
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    Mar 21st 2023, 10:46 AM

    Weird that music promotors seem to make plenty of money all the time in Croker, Hearn just chancing his arm looking to make more money. Ringside tickets will cost a few hundred minimum so he would stand to make more than any music concert plus he would be able to have Hill 16 open which you wouldnโ€™t get at a gig.

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    Mute Tom Quinlan
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    Mar 21st 2023, 9:45 AM

    Because the GAA are trying to milk it. Hearn canโ€™t milk it. As he says himself thatโ€™s business

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    Mute Niall Stone
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    Mar 21st 2023, 10:13 AM

    So itโ€™s gone from twice as expensive to three times as expensive. Negotiations are going well.
    So we have CP at a risky 80K and his option at 8K. Has he looked outside of these options, thatโ€™s all we have here 8K or 80K. What about 50K at the Aviva? 45K at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
    There are more options in Ireland between 8 and 80K capacity.

    I think this man just wants PPV, and or to get KT a fight, any fight at home. I donโ€™t imagine itโ€™s what she really imagined or deserved but it looks like heโ€™d rather blame CP than list some other options.

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    Mute baz dunne
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    Mar 21st 2023, 12:24 PM

    @Niall Stone: Aviva will be hosting the Heineken cup final that evening so thatโ€™s a non starter.

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    Mute Niall Stone
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    Mar 22nd 2023, 2:20 AM

    @baz dunne: Point is there must be other options. He switched a fighter, switch the date

    As he says it is a risk as itโ€™s a less attractive fight now. Would this fight attract 80K? His second fight option would be less likely to attract a full house and he knows it, cold feet.

    Steve Collins got good crowds in Cork, or select a different night.

    In my opinion, he wants to go for safe PPV money, minimally meet KTs desire to fight in Ireland, hold the Amanda Serrano fight somewhere else all the while blaming the GAA. He could do more, be proactive rather than keep churning out the same sad story about CP.
    Heโ€™s like a guy arguing with a bouncer to get into a nightclub, move on, go somewhere else.

    8K tickets for KTs home match is underwhelming. She deserves more, heโ€™s her agent not the GAA.

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    Mute baz dunne
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    Mar 21st 2023, 9:36 AM

    No doubt heโ€™s right, The grab all association were always going to try and milk this for all its worth and more.

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    Mute Gerry Campbell
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    Mar 21st 2023, 10:55 AM

    @baz dunne: Ah here,Iโ€™m not beyond having a go at the GAA,but Eddie Hearne,pleaseโ€ฆThe GAA were dead right and its up the price should go,bye Eddie donโ€™t let the door hit you in the Arse.

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    Mute baz dunne
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    Mar 21st 2023, 12:22 PM

    @Gerry Campbell: In fairness youโ€™re not wrong. Thereโ€™s the pair of them in it.

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    Mute mcr
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    Mar 21st 2023, 2:14 PM

    @baz dunne: was wondering how long before some anti gaa gobdaw would come up with the โ€˜grab all associationโ€™ lineโ€ฆ When has no knowledge of numbers involved. All we need now is a brilliant original Father Ted lineโ€ฆ

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    Mute Lad
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    Mar 21st 2023, 4:06 PM

    @baz dunne: he didnโ€™t say the pair of them were at it..

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    Mute Zim Zimma
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    Mar 21st 2023, 10:21 AM

    As much as I donโ€™t like Hearn I have no doubt heโ€™s telling the truth. As my Granda used to say and the older Iโ€™ve got the more Iโ€™ve seen the truth in it in politics, institutions and pretty much every facet of life, he said, Ireland will never get anywhere, because it is a nation run by gombeen men, theyโ€™d sell their own mothers if you offered them the right price, but if you were dying of thirst they wouldnโ€™t give you a drop of water unless there was something in it for them.

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    Mute Joe Kennedy
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    Mar 21st 2023, 8:08 PM

    @Zim Zimma: we see what we want to see. Try looking at things more positively than your Granda did, and you might see things differently!

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    Mute John Geary
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    Mar 21st 2023, 11:27 AM

    Tell Eddie, we saw how Wembley operated during the Euroโ€™s final a couple of years back. Absolute chaos with the level of security & policing they put on. I wouldnโ€™t be using them as a good example.. Heโ€™s also looking to schedule same wkend as the European rugby final in the Aviva. Just go for a night in August or Sept when nothings clashing with it.

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    Mute Mark Sheehan
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    Mar 21st 2023, 12:26 PM

    @John Geary: if fans want to behave as they did last summer at Wembley or Lansdowne Rd years ago no amount of security or policing will suffice. Also much the scheduling of bouts is determined by training regimes.

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    Mute Jim Moran
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    Mar 21st 2023, 11:49 AM

    The only lad to complain about the cost of holding an event in Croke Park. It sure is a bad taste he has left.

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    Mute Robert Frazier
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    Mar 21st 2023, 10:22 AM

    How much are gardai getting paid?

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    Mute Kev Coburn
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    Mar 21st 2023, 6:30 PM

    To be fair to him, it costs an absolute fortune to insure and police big-time Boxing events in Ireland. The amount of rival criminal gang members that would invariably show up would increase the likelihood of a Regency shooting style incident occurring. Despite their willingness to push other events through, and the high esteem in which Katie Taylor is held, I cannot see the Irish government wanting anything to do with assisting something that could potentially be associated with such negative publicity. Regular, large scale, professional Boxing events, on these shores, are a thing of the past. With or without star drawing power.

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