The opening weekend of the women’s Energia All-Ireland League delivered a strong early statement, with Railway Union overcoming defending champions UL Bohemian in a tight Division 1A contest. Across the country, the first round of sports Ireland coverage also brought convincing wins for Blackrock College, Old Belvedere and three Division 1B sides.
There was no shortage of attacking rugby in the opening round, but the biggest result came at Park Avenue, where Railway Union secured a 19-15 victory over last season’s champions. The result immediately adds intrigue to the title race and gives the Dublin club valuable momentum at the beginning of the campaign.
Railway Union edge champions in a gripping opener
UL Bohemian started brightly and led 10-7 at half-time, but Railway Union stayed within touching distance before producing the more influential second-half performance. Tries from Sydney Davis, Ailsa Hughes and Rebecca Cahill, with Hannah Scanlan adding two conversions, turned the contest in the hosts’ favour.
UL Bohemian responded through Chisom Ugwueru, who scored twice, and Teni Onigbode. The champions continued to threaten until the closing stages, but Railway Union held firm to claim one of the most eye-catching results of the opening weekend.
For UL Bohemian, the defeat is an early reminder that defending the crown will demand consistency from the outset. Railway Union, meanwhile, have announced themselves as a side capable of competing with the leading teams in Irish rugby.
Blackrock and Old Belvedere make winning starts
Blackrock College produced the most emphatic Division 1A result, defeating Wicklow 50-5 at Stradbrook. Blackrock led 40-0 at half-time and maintained their control after the break, with Andrea Murphy completing a hat-trick and Ava Fannin scoring twice.
Cara Martin, Maggie Boylan and Emily Whittle also crossed for Blackrock, while Abby Moyles contributed five conversions. Wicklow’s reward for a determined effort was a late try from Roisin Stone, but the scoreline underlined Blackrock’s attacking strength.
Old Belvedere also began with a win, beating Galwegians 31-15 at Ollie Campbell Park. Three early tries from Elisa McGabhann, Clare Gorman and Alisha Flynn gave the hosts a strong platform. Katie Whelan then added two tries, including a late score, as Old Belvedere controlled the game.
Galwegians showed resilience through a hat-trick from Emily Foley, but Old Belvedere’s first-half advantage proved decisive. The opening results leave Blackrock, Old Belvedere and Railway Union with important early confidence.
Newcomers enjoy dream Division 1B debuts
Division 1B supplied its own share of Ireland sports news, with MU Barnhall and Enniskillen RFC marking their arrivals with impressive victories.
- MU Barnhall 17-5 Ballincollig: Early tries from Emer Sweetnam and Aoibhín Smith gave Barnhall a 10-5 half-time lead. Ciara Faulkner’s late try, converted by Abby Healy, completed a memorable debut.
- Enniskillen RFC 32-12 Tullow RFC: Zara Flack scored three times as Enniskillen built a commanding lead. Stacey Sloan, Moya Hill and Amelia McFarland also crossed for the hosts.
- Ennis RFC 14-10 Cooke: Ennis survived a competitive game at Shaw’s Bridge, with tries from Takiah Buchanan and Rhona O’Dea securing the points.
Enniskillen led 22-5 at the interval and continued to find space in the second half, although Tullow battled to the finish with two Grace Kelly tries. At Shaw’s Bridge, Ennis held their nerve after Cooke moved within four points, making their winning start all the more valuable.
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What the opening round tells us
It is too early to draw firm conclusions from one weekend, but several themes are already clear. Railway Union have shown they can challenge the champions, Blackrock College look capable of producing points at speed, and Old Belvedere have begun with the attacking quality expected from last season’s semi-finalists.
In Division 1B, the arrival of MU Barnhall and Enniskillen adds fresh competition. Their victories will raise expectations ahead of the next round, while Ballincollig, Tullow and Cooke will be looking to respond quickly.
The women’s Energia All-Ireland League remains one of the most important competitions in Irish club rugby, providing a platform for established players, emerging talent and ambitious clubs. The opening weekend has already shown that the season could feature close title battles and meaningful progress for newer teams.
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What happens next?
The next round will show whether the opening winners can build momentum and whether the defeated sides can quickly recover. Railway Union’s victory gives them an early platform, but the champions and other leading contenders will have plenty of opportunities to respond.
Bottom line: the first round of the women’s Energia All-Ireland League has delivered an immediate title-race talking point, with Railway Union’s win over UL Bohemian setting the standard for a fascinating season.
Article/Image Courtesy: Irish Rugby
