The 2017/18 season got off to a strong start over the weekend as rugby in Ulster experienced a high point in the development of the female game.
Cooke recorded their second home win of the season in the All Ireland League against Blackrock at Shawsbridge, continuing their success from last week against Old Belvedere, who are widely considered a powerhouse within women’s rugby.
Captain Beth Cregan and her charges have hit the ground running this season as they look forward to their next challenge, welcoming current champions UL Bohs to Shawsbridge. They will be hoping for more points before hitting the road to play Highfield and Tullamore in the coming weeks.
The provincial league season also began this week and saw two fixtures in Division 1 of the Ulster Rugby Women’s Championship, as Malone travelled to Enniskillen and City of Derry hosted current IRFU Ulster Branch Junior Cup holders, Ballynahinch, at Judges Road.
City of Derry came out winners with an impressive bonus point victory against Ballynahinch, made all the sweeter by the return of former Ulster captain and Ireland Six Nations Grand Slam winning hooker, Stacy-lea Kennedy.
Malone also got their campaign up and running with a win at the ever-competitive Enniskillen at Mullaghmeen. The past decade of hard work is evident at Malone as they now aim to compete at the top end of the provincial table in the 2017/18 season.
The real success of the inaugural year of Ulster Rugby Women’s Championship Division 2, is not in the results, but rather in the fact that all four games went ahead, with teams from Belfast Harlequins, Carrickfergus, Cooke 2nd XV, Dungannon/Portadown, Lisburn, Randalstown, Malone & Queens all fielding teams. A special mention to Newry Rugby Club, who, at very short notice, swooped in to help provide playing numbers to support the Cooke versus Malone match.
Lisburn, Carrick, and Belfast Harlequins all picked up sound wins.
Alongside the continued successes of the Ulster U18 girls in their outstanding successes at age-grade level, it appears the future is bright for the women’s game in Ulster.
Cooke recorded their second home win of the season in the All Ireland League against Blackrock at Shawsbridge, continuing their success from last week against Old Belvedere, who are widely considered a powerhouse within women’s rugby.
Captain Beth Cregan and her charges have hit the ground running this season as they look forward to their next challenge, welcoming current champions UL Bohs to Shawsbridge. They will be hoping for more points before hitting the road to play Highfield and Tullamore in the coming weeks.
The provincial league season also began this week and saw two fixtures in Division 1 of the Ulster Rugby Women’s Championship, as Malone travelled to Enniskillen and City of Derry hosted current IRFU Ulster Branch Junior Cup holders, Ballynahinch, at Judges Road.
City of Derry came out winners with an impressive bonus point victory against Ballynahinch, made all the sweeter by the return of former Ulster captain and Ireland Six Nations Grand Slam winning hooker, Stacy-lea Kennedy.
Malone also got their campaign up and running with a win at the ever-competitive Enniskillen at Mullaghmeen. The past decade of hard work is evident at Malone as they now aim to compete at the top end of the provincial table in the 2017/18 season.
The real success of the inaugural year of Ulster Rugby Women’s Championship Division 2, is not in the results, but rather in the fact that all four games went ahead, with teams from Belfast Harlequins, Carrickfergus, Cooke 2nd XV, Dungannon/Portadown, Lisburn, Randalstown, Malone & Queens all fielding teams. A special mention to Newry Rugby Club, who, at very short notice, swooped in to help provide playing numbers to support the Cooke versus Malone match.
Lisburn, Carrick, and Belfast Harlequins all picked up sound wins.
Alongside the continued successes of the Ulster U18 girls in their outstanding successes at age-grade level, it appears the future is bright for the women’s game in Ulster.