Match Result
- Result: Galwegians Women 41 - Cooke 17
- Venue: Crowley Park on Sat Feb 28th 2026
- Competition: AIL Womens League
Match Report
Galwegians were in scintillating form as they powered to victory, with standout performances from Grace Browne Moran, Stacy Hanley, Orla Fenton, Aisling Hahessy, and Sophie Cullen. The team’s attacking flair and clinical finishing left the opposition chasing shadows throughout the match.
The scoring opened early in the 2nd minute when Grace Browne Moran crossed for her first try, finishing off a well-executed maul taken in the air by Aisling Hahessy. Moran was at it again in the 17th minute, this time benefiting from slick phase play off a scrum: Grace picked and went up the blind, popping to scrum half Megan Connolly, who found winger Sinead O'Brien, before the ball was returned to Moran to dot down.
Momentum continued with Moran completing her hat-trick in the 35th minute. Dolores Hughes made a line-breaking run, giving the Blues vital momentum. After a series of pick-and-go phases, Sophie Cullen was held just short, allowing Moran to dive over the line.
As halftime approached, Stacy Hanley added another try in the 40th minute, mirroring Moran’s previous score. Dolores Hughes once again made a decisive break, and Stacy’s tactical awareness ensured Hanley could finish from close range. Sinead O’Brien successfully converted, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
The second half saw Galwegians maintain their attacking edge. In the 51st minute, Orla Fenton touched down following a clever break from Aisling Hahessy, whose footwork carried the Blues to the 5m line, with second row Fenton keeping the momentum going with pick-and-go play. Sophie Cullen then crossed in the 56th minute after a series of well-timed offloads.
Aisling Hahessy herself scored in the 58th minute, capitalising on a quick read of the defence to finish a snap ball, catching Cooke off guard. Sophie Cullen rounded off the scoring in style in the 77th minute, dancing through the defence on a 20m dash to the try line, with her own conversion sealing a dominant performance.
Galwegians’ combination of individual brilliance and cohesive team play ensured a memorable display, with multiple players contributing to a thoroughly deserved victory.
Final Try Scorers: Grace Browne Moran, 3; Stacy Hanley, 1; Orla Fenton, 1; Aisling Hahessy 1; Sophie Cullen, 2 and 1 conversion; Sinead O’Brien, 1 conversion.
