Women’s AIL Round-Up

Another huge win for runaway leaders UL Bohemians, who ran up a half-century against Galwegians, while Highfield have a battle on their hands.

A mixed weekend for Munster participation in the Women’s All-Ireland League this weekend, as UL Bohemians continued their imperious run at the top of the table, while Cork outfit Highfield squandered the chance to put pressure on fourth placed Galwegians.

Champions-elect UL Bohemians showed no intentions of letting up as they target a perfect season in the Women’s All-Ireland League this season. Kerry goalkeeper and Irish full-back Edel Murphy scored one try and converted five in the eight try mauling of Galwegians that helped UL Bohemians stretch their lead at the top of the table to 14 points with three games left to play in the regular season.

It’s been 11 played, 11 won so far for the Limerick side, who have an enormous +255 points difference (over 100 points more than nearest challengers Old Belvedere), and while the amount of points scored dominate the headlines, conceding just 7.73 points per game show how miserly the Shannonsiders have been.

For Highfield, a disappointing weekend saw them lose ground on the coveted fourth position, losing 19-15 in Belfast against Cooke, which sets up a mouth-watering tie between St Mary's and the Cork side next Sunday, as Highfield attempt a last-gasp run for fourth spot.

Laura Guest, former Ireland international and now Highfield head coach, reflected on her side's loss to Cooke, saying: “It was a tight game and there wasn't much in it for the 80 minutes. Christine Archer scored twice for us from two mauls but unfortunately Cooke were more up for it and they are hard to beat.

“They got a seven-pointer at the end to win the game when we thought we had a chance for a five-pointer. Difficult conditions made handling hard for both teams so there are no excuses and we have a massive game against St. Mary's next Sunday.”

Women's All-Ireland League Results:
Cooke 19 Highfield 15, Shaw's Bridge
Railway Union 41 Blackrock 0, Willow Lodge
St Mary's 10 Old Belvedere 8, Templeville Road
UL Bohemians 50 Galwegians 0, Thomond Park back pitch

Fixtures: Kick-off 1pm unless stated
Blackrock v Cooke, Stradbrook
Galwegians v Railway Union, Crowley Park
Highfield v St Mary's, Woodleigh Park
Old Belvedere v UL Bohemians, Anglesea Road.