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Energia Bateman Cup takes centre stage this week-end

By Diarmuid Kearney

CUP rugby and league battles take centre stage this weekend as the Energia Bateman Cup semi-finals share the spotlight with another crucial round in the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division.
At Ballymacarn Park, Ballynahinch welcome Sligo in a 1A v 2B clash that promises plenty of physicality. Hinch will be eager to bounce back after a heavy defeat to Terenure last week, and with home advantage and a deep, experienced squad, they start as favourites.
Champions of this competition back in 2009, they last featured in the semi final stage two years ago losing to Young Munster and have made Ballymacarn a tough place to visit in recent seasons. Sligo, meanwhile, have fallen at this stage in the last two years but arrive hungry for a breakthrough. Though recent losses to Clogher Valley and Galwegians have halted their early-season momentum, the Connacht Cup holders will relish the underdog tag and a shot at a top-flight scalp.
In the other semi-final, Nenagh Ormond host Clontarf in New Ormond Park, a fascinating matchup just weeks before the two meet in Division 1A. Nenagh’s debut season in the top flight has been tough, with five straight defeats, but the Tipperary club are no strangers to big Cup moments, having lifted the Munster Senior Cup last year.
Clontarf, unbeaten in their last four games are in red-hot form and will travel as the favourites. Their last game in the Bateman Cup came back in the 2014-15 season, they contested the final that year. Yet, cup rugby has a habit of producing surprises, and Nenagh’s home crowd will hope to witness another famous day in the club’s history.
In the Women’s Division, defending champions UL Bohemian continue to set the pace. The Red Robins, unbeaten through four games, host Cooke on the UL 4G pitch. Sarah Quin’s side have been in scintillating attacking form, with Alana McInerney leading the charge, and will be expected to maintain their perfect start. Cooke sit just outside the drop zone and have struggled in this fixture in recent seasons, including a 64-0 loss in Belfast last year.
Railway Union head to Ballincollig in another key clash. After tallying just shy of a century over Tullow ended their losing run, the Dubliners look ready to climb back toward the top four. Ballincollig, beaten 60-14 by Blackrock last time out, will hope home advantage helps them turn the tide, but their recent history in this fixture makes for tough viewing.
Galwegians, flying high with four straight bonus-point wins, return to Crowley Park to host newcomers Ennis. The Galway side have impressed at both ends of the field and will be confident of maintaining their winning streak. Ennis, after two consecutive defeats, including a 77-0 loss to UL Bohs, will need a response to steady their campaign.
Elsewhere, Tullow face Old Belvedere in Rathoe Road, where Belvo will aim to back up their most recent win over Wicklow and strengthen their top-four credentials. Wicklow themselves host Blackrock College in a high-stakes Leinster derby. Rock, winning their last three games in a row, are building real momentum, while Wicklow chase a statement victory to stay in playoff contention.
Fixtures:
Energia Bateman Cup
Ballynahinch v Sligo, Ballymacarn Park, 2:30pm
Nenagh Ormond v Clontarf, New Ormond Park, 2:30pm
Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division
UL Bohemian v Cooke, UL 4G, 4:15pm
Ballincollig v Railway Union, Tanner Park, 5pm
Galwegians v Ennis, Crowley Park, 5pm
Tullow v Old Belvedere, Rathoe Road, 5pm
Wicklow v Blackrock College, 5pm

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