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Women’s Firsts 17 – Old Belvedere 10

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Match Result

  • Result: Galwegians Women 17 - Old Belvedere 10
  • Venue: Crowley Park on Sat Jan 18th 2025
  • Competition: AIL Womens League

Match Report

Galwegians Women had a statement victory in the All-Ireland League when they put an end to visitors Old Belvedere’s seven-game winning streak with a magnificent deserved win under lights at Crowley Park on Saturday night.

The home side won the toss and captain Ellen Connolly elected to play against a stiff breeze blowing towards the clubhouse end. The visitors, who sit in the top 4 of the League came on the attack early, however Wegians struck a telling blow when they drew first blood inside the opening ten minutes. It came following good spadework by the pack who created the platform  for their backs, with winger Kila Curran getting over out wide for an unconverted try.

Belvedere were soon using the elements to set up camp in the Wegians’ 22, only to be consistently repelled by a stonewall defence who were determined not to concede, forcing a series of errors to keep their line intact. As the half wore on, Belvedere's frustration mounted and their hosts’ confidence visibly grew. A key moment came on the half-hour when an interception led to a barnstorming 40 metre break up the middle by second-row Orla Fenton, causing havoc in the opposition ranks.

Although the Dubliners did manage to repel that attack, shortly afterwards they would concede again. It followed another excellent attacking move from the Blues, resulting in exciting left-winger Emily Foley showing a clean pair of heels to leave her marker for dust, haring down the left wing before rounding under the posts for a superb score. Sarah Purcell converted to give the Blue Belles a vital 12-0 lead, with a shell-shocked Belvo unable to get any points on the board before the half-time break.

In the second half it was the visitors’ turn to play the rugby against the wind and they duly set about their business. They dominated much of the third quarter in the possession stakes, and nine minutes after the restart centre Elise O’Byrne White managed to cross the whitewash out on the left and put the visitors on the scoreboard However the Blue Belles charged down the difficult conversion attempt, leaving the scoreline 12-5. As the game ebbed and flowed both teams had chances, but crucially the Galwegian defence was holding sway and limiting serious scoring opportunities.

However, Belvedere always posed a threat and never stopped coming. Two minutes into stoppage time their pressure eventually told when winger Megan Edwards managed to get over for their second try. Crucially for Wegians they were forced out wide, rendering the conversion into the wind nigh impossible which meant the Blue Belles led 12-10. However hopes of Belvedere completing a late fightback were soon extinguished when Wegians decided the best form of defence was attack. A deep restart saw them win a penalty in the opposition 22. They opted to tap and go which proved highly productive, as a few phases later the pack barged over the line with Roisin Maher claiming the score.

Belvo still had time to launch one final assault but there was no way past the resolute Wegians defence, giving Jack Clarke's charges the winning spoils. Wegians can now face into the rest of their ail campaign with a high degree of confidence, and next they take on another top four Dublin side, Blackrock College at 5pm this Saturday (25th) at Crowley Park.

Players

Gemma Faulkner; Kila Curran, Orla Dixon, Sarah Purcell, Emily Foley; Grainne Moran, Megan Connolly; Ellen Connolly (capt), Stacey Hanley, Róisín Maher, Orla Fenton, Grace Browne Moran, Ailish Quinn, Mollie Starr, Sarah McCormick. Replacements: Eve Tarpey, Celia Killilea, Grace Fennell, Ciara Mulkern, Lorna Morrin, Sophie Cullen.

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