A preview of the fourth round of fixtures in the Women’s All-Ireland League:

WICKLOW (10th) v MALONE (6th), Ashtown Lane

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form:Wicklow: LLL; Malone: WLD Energia All-Ireland League Top Scorers –Wicklow: Points: -; Tries: -; Malone: Points: Sarah Murphy 15; Tries: Sarah Murphy 3 Ulster second row Alan O’Connor has been helping out with Malone’s lineout training in advance of their trip to the Garden County. Malone boss Jamie McMullan makes six changes to the side that lost 57-12 at Old Belvedere in round two. Cara O’Neill, Jill Stephens and Ulster’s Ella Durkan are added to the back-line, the latter coming in on the right wing. Rebecca Greenaway switches to number 8 to accommodate the inclusion of Jo McMorris-Cloughey on the blindside. American recruit Amonae Dabbs-Brown starts in the second row, packing down behind Chrissie McKee at tighthead. Meanwhile, Wicklow are back on home turf and determined to put the ‘valuable lessons’ learnt against three top-class Dublin teams into practice. Wicklow head coach Jason Moreton is able to field his strongest squad so far, with player coach Niamh Ni Dhroma making her first start at number 8. Co-captain Amy O’Neill and Tammy Breen return from their Ireland Rugby League commitments.

COOKE (8th) v BLACKROCK COLLEGE (3rd), Shaw’s Bridge

Energia All-Ireland League Season’s Form:Cooke: LWL; Blackrock College: LWWEnergia All-Ireland League Top Scorers –Cooke: Points: Naomi McCord 15; Tries: Naomi McCord 3; Blackrock College: Points: Hannah O’Connor 34; Tries: Eimear Corri, Maggie Boylan 4 each It was one away win each when Cooke and Blackrock College last met during the unfinished 2019/20 season. ‘Rock are on a roll after scoring 113 unanswered points in the last two rounds. Ben Martin’s charges were too strong for both Suttonians and Wicklow, with nine different players sharing out 19 tries. Young backs Eimear Corri and Maggie Boylan have scored four each, as joint-top try scorers in the league. Recent signing Naomi McCord continues to lead by example for Cooke, with three tries in as many matches. Their pack packs a punch, but watch out for talented centre Claire Johnston who brings a lot of energy in defence and attack.

Saturday October 23rd, 2021

Energia All-Ireland League, Women’s Division

Cooke v Blackrock College, Shaw’s Bridge, 5pm

Galwegians v Suttonians, Crowley Park, 5pm

Old Belvedere v Ballincollig, Ollie Campbell Park, 2:30pm

Railway Union v UL Bohemian, Park Avenue, 5pm

Wicklow v Malone, Ashtown Lane, 5pm

Women’s All-Ireland League: Round 4 Preview

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