Openers Leah Paul and Gaby Lewis have recently made a habit out of providing Ireland with great starts and they didn’t disappoint after being asked to bat first in their Group A match.

The duo put on a 61-run stand, before Caroline de Lange put the brakes on scoring by scalping both the openers.

Ireland lost wickets in a heap soon after and found themselves at 85 for five, with Eva Lynch dismissing Shauna Kavanagh and Orla Prendergast off consecutive deliveries.

Skipper Laura Delany and Eimear Richardson had to pull off the rescue act and drag Ireland out of trouble, adding 85 runs for the sixth wicket.

Heather Siegers ran through the rest of the batting order with a four-wicket haul, including the wicket of Delany and Richardson as Ireland folded for 199.

Prendergast made up for her poor batting innings by dismissing Juliët Post for nought in the third over.

However, Babette de Leede and Sterre Kalis weathered the early storm with a 59-run partnership.

Once de Leede was dismissed for 34, Robine Rijke joined Kalis at the crease. Their 73-run partnership took the Netherlands close to victory, though Kalis fell short of a well-deserved half-century by just three runs.

Needing to go run-a-ball in the last 10 overs with seven wickets in hand, it seemed a simple chase for the Dutch.

Two run-outs, including that of skipper Siegers, changed the dynamic of the game before Prendergast struck to dismiss the well-set Rijke for 56.

Needing 35 from the last four overs, the pressure of the asking rate got to the Netherlands as they succumbed to a 29-run defeat. The Dutch, who were cruising at 158/3, were skittled out for 170.

The win has given Ireland a big chance to qualify for the Super Six stage, with the Dutch yet to win a game in the tournament’s group of four – the top three in both groups qualify.

Ed Joyce’s side will have a few days of rest before they play their third game of the qualifier on Monday – a matchup with Sri Lanka at 7:30 am GMT.

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Blackrock College and Railway Union will go head-to-head for a spot in the final four – both teams have had recent success in the competition.

Blackrock were the champions in 2017 and 2019 while Railway won the crown in between those successes in 2018.

The pair met in the competition in 2016 in a match where Blackrock emerged victorious but five years later, in what could be the tie of the round, the fixture could go any way.

Galwegians came through a tough test against non-league opposition when they beat Kerry in Tralee at the weekend.

They’ll face a similar challenge in the last eight with a trip to Belfast to take on Queen’s University.

Wicklow and Ballincollig were both non-league sides the last time this competition was played and showcased their development with wins against Co. Cavan and OLBC respectively.

Their reward for their progression is a pairing together in the quarter-final brackets.

Cooke will await the winners of the round of 16 match between Old Belvedere and UL Bohemian after the game was postponed.

The Energia All-Ireland Plate will be contested by the four teams knocked out of the cup quarter-finals, meaning that the loser of the postponed round of 16 fixture will not be able to compete for it.

However, the Energia All-Ireland Shield exists as a competition for teams that lost in the Cup’s Round of 16. It commences with quarter-finals – the loser of Old Belvedere v UL Bohemians will enter this competition.

Kerry receive a bye first up and will visit the winners of Malone v Tipperary in the semi-finals.

The team that loses the cup game between Old Belvedere and UL Bohemian also has a bye and will have home advantage against the winners of Co. Cavan v OLBC.

Quarter-final games will be played on the weekend of January 8^th, 2022, with fixture details to be confirmed.

Quarter-Finals

Energia All-Ireland Cup

Wicklow v Ballincollig

Queen’s University v Galwegians

Railway Union v Blackrock College

Old Belvedere/UL Bohemian v Cooke

Energia All-Ireland Shield

Co. Cavan v OLBC

BYE v Kerry

Malone v Tipperary

Old Belvedere/UL Bohemian v BYE

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In their first Autumn International, which was the first women’s national game to be held at the RDS, Ireland recorded a 10-point victory over the United States of America.

It was their first match since they missed out on qualification to next year’s World Cup in Parma earlier this year.

The game has more significance than that for Ireland though, as it will be captain Ciara Griffin and Head Coach Adam Griggs’ last game with the girls in green.

Griffin, who has captained Ireland since 2018, will win her 41st cap for the national side on Saturday afternoon.

She has appeared in 40 of their 42 matches since making her debut against Wales in the 2016 Six Nations.

The 27-year-old has been a huge presence for Ireland in the back row since making her debut five years ago and will hang up her boots after five impressive years in green.

Griggs was appointed as the manager of the national side ahead of the 2018 Six Nations and gave Griffin the armband.

Former Ireland Women’s assistant coach Greg McWilliams will replace him after the side wrap up their 2021 fixtures.

Munster’s Aoife Doyle returns to the starting XV and is joined in the back three by Lauren Delany and Laura Sheehan, who are retained from last Friday’s win over the USA in Dublin.

Eimear Considine and Sene Naoupu continue their midfield partnership, but there is a new-look half-back pairing for Ireland with Kathryn Dane starting at scrum-half and Enya Breen in the pivotal out-half position.

In the pack, Laura Feely, Neve Jones and Linda Djougang are named in the front row, with the experienced Aoife McDermott returning to the second row alongside Sam Monaghan.

Griffin starts at blindside flanker for her 41st and final Ireland cap, with Edel McMahon continuing at openside and Hannah O’Connor back in the starting team at number eight following injury.

Leinster duo Mary Healy and Ella Roberts and Connacht back Shannon Touhey are all included in an Ireland matchday squad for the first time, with the trio among the seven replacements.

Teams

Ireland

15. Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)(17)
14. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union/Munster)(6)
13. Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster)(22)
12. Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(45)
11. Laura Sheehan (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)(5)
10. Enya Breen (UL Bohemians/Munster)(8)
9. Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster)(17)

1. Laura Feely (Blackrock College/Connacht)(22)
2. Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster)(5)
3. Linda Djougang (ASM Romagnat Rugby/Leinster)(16)
4. Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster)(17)
5. Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(4)
6. Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster)(Captain)(40)
7. Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(13)
8. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/Leinster)(6).

Replacements:

16. Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(30)
17. Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/Leinster)(4)
18. Mary Healy (Naas/Suttonians/Leinster)*
19. Anna Caplice (Gloucester-Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(15)
20. Maeve Og O’Leary (Blackrock College/Munster)(1)
21. Alisa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster)(13)
22. Shannon Touhey (Tullamore/Connacht)*
23. Ella Roberts (Wicklow/Leinster)*

Japan

Where To Watch

The match will kick off at 3 pm and will be shown live on RTÉ 2.

The post Ireland v Japan – Preview, Teams, Where To Watch appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The match in Dublin will be the team’s first game since they missed out on qualification for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The matches against the USA and Japan will serve as the final ones under current Head Coach Adam Griggs, who will leave his post and be replaced by Greg McWilliams.

On top of this, the pictures come at a time of friction between the players and those who run the show in the IRFU.

Director of Women’s and Sevens Rugby for the union, Anthony Eddy had said earlier in the week that the organisation was not neglecting the women’s game and does not believe that the national team will be left behind as others take steps forward.

He also appeared to lay the blame for Ireland’s failed qualification bid at the players’ feet.

However, players, both past and present, have come out against Eddy and forced an apology from the Director, with captain Ciara Griffin noting that he had apologised in case anyone took offence.

On a positive note, the team are united and have their eyes set on bouncing back from their disappointing losses in Parma.

Manager Adam Griggs has shown his excitement in facing the star-studded USA team:

“We have had two good weeks of preparation for the Autumn Tests and the group are excited to get back out on the pitch and put that hard work into action.

“A first Test at the RDS under Friday night lights will be a special occasion and we’re looking forward to having family, friends, and our supporters back in the stands to get behind us.”

Teams

Ireland: 15. Lauren Delany, 14. Laura Sheehan, 13. Eimear Considine, 12. Sene Naoupu, 11. Beibhinn Parsons, 10. Stacey Flood, 9. Ailsa Hughes; 1. Lindsay Peat, 2. Cliodhna Moloney, 3. Leah Lyons, 4. Nichola Fryday, 5. Sam Monaghan, 6. Ciara Griffin (c), 7. Edel McMahon, 8. Anna Caplice

Replacements: 16. Neve Jones, 17. Katie O’Dwyer, 18. Linda Djougang, 19. Hannah O’Connor, 20. Maeve Óg O’Leary, 21. Kathryn Dane, 22. Eve Higgins, 23. Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe

USA: 15. Kayla Canett, 14. Tess Feury, 13. Amy Talei Bonte, 12. Katana Howard, 11. Bulou Mataitoga, 10. Megan Foster, 9. Carly Waters; 1. Catherine Benson, 2. Saher Hamdam, 3. Hope Rogers, 4. Kristine Sommer, 5. Alycia Washington, 6. Rachel Ehrecke, 7. Rachel Johnson, 8. Kate Zackary.

Replacements: 16. Kathryn Treder, 17. Maya Learned, 18. Nick James, 19. Hallie Taufoou, 20. Elizabeth Cairns, 21. Olivia Ortiz, 22. McKenzie Hawkins, 23. Sarah Levy.

Odds

Ireland 6/5

Draw 17/1

USA 8/11

Where To Watch

The match will kick-off at 7:15 pm with live coverage of the game available on the RTÉ Player.

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PNG were to take on defending champions the West Indies on the opening day of the tournament, which runs from 21 November to 5 December across four venues in Harare.

There will be no replacement for PNG in Group A, which includes Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands and the West Indies.

The five-team Group B comprises Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Zimbabwe and the United States.

ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said: “Obviously we’re incredibly disappointed not to be able to welcome PNG to the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier, but they have been unable to field a team because a number of the squad have contracted COVID-19.

“The safety of the players and everyone involved in our events is paramount and we will go ahead with the tournament maintaining our bio-security standards.

“I really feel for the PNG players, who have been preparing extensively for this event and for whom it would have been a wonderful experience playing against several top sides in Harare, with the opportunity to qualify for the Women’s World Cup and the next round of the ICC Women’s Championship.

“We hope that they are back playing international cricket soon and continue to develop as a team.”

The Zimbabwe event is an important one on the calendar as it decides three qualifiers for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 to be held in New Zealand from 4 March to 3 April, joining five teams who have already qualified through the ICC Women’s Championship – Australia, England, India, South Africa and hosts New Zealand.

The three qualifiers as well as the next two teams will also ensure places in the next ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) along with the top five from last time, as the number of teams in the third cycle of the IWC goes up from eight to 10 teams.

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A 33-player Ireland Women’s squad has been named for the upcoming Autumn Tests against USA and Japan at the RDS Stadium.

The post Six uncapped players in Ireland Women’s squad for USA and Japan tests appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ireland played a much-improved game compared to their previous match as Leah Paul and Gaby Lewis combined for a century to begin proceedings.

Zimbabwe’s target of 286 was too much for the side in their second competitive ODI as they tasted defeat in the format for the first time, losing by 80 runs.

Josephine Nkomo stood out for the hosts with an unbeaten 70 being the highlight of their batting.

Paul and Lewis gave the Irish side 135 runs before their first wicket came – Lewis was bowled out by Nkomo in the 25th over, giving the partnership a run rate of five per over.

Their performances were much better than the first test when the Irish opening partnership was much less successful, only managing 28 runs in 8.2 overs before Paul walked.

Replacement Amy Hunter was gone just moments later but Ireland did not drop a third wicket until they had passed the 200-run mark.

Paul was the fourth to fall, walking after her 95 runs from 118 balls helped the side to 219 overall with less than ten runs to go.

Ireland finished their 50 overs of batting with 286/7 to their name.

Zimbabwe could only manage to get 21 runs from their opening duo before their first batter was removed and already had five out by the end of the 25th over.

Josephine Nkomo’s 70 from 86 balls helped the side pass 200 but lacklustre numbers put up by everyone else in the squad meant it was not enough.

Captain Mary-Anne Musonda, who had scored an unbeaten ton to lead her side to victory on Tuesday, managed a measly four runs from 17 balls.

The two teams are now level in the series with two more games to go, with the final two fixtures set to be played on Saturday, October 9 and Monday, October 11.

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Ed Joyce’s side will look to get their first win of the series after Zimbabwe emerged victorious from the first test, winning by four wickets.

Zimbabwean captain Mary-Anne Musonda scored 103 runs for her side to help them chase down Ireland’s target of 253, becoming the first woman from the country to score a century for her national team.

The captain formed healthy partnerships throughout the 50 overs and her teammates contributed positively to the chase, with Precious Marange and Josephine Nkomo posting 27 and 25 runs each during their spells at-bat.

This came after two early wickets had spelled danger for the Zimbabweans, as the Irish held them to 25/2 after just 5.2 overs.

Ireland failed to get going until it was too late when they were at-bat in the morning, racking up a rate of just 3.5 runs per over after 28 overs.

The Irish opening partnership of Leah Paul and Gaby Lewis lasted longer than the Zimbabwean’s starting duo but were much less successful as they only managed 28 runs in 8.2 overs before Paul walked.

Lewis only managed 24 runs off 51 balls before she received her marching orders when Marange removed her, having separated the opening partnership earlier.

Laura Delany was the standout for Ireland on a slow day – the captain racked up 86 in a strong push to reach 253 but she became the side’s sixth wicket in the 46th over.

Ireland added 33 more runs after Delaney’s exit to finish on 253 after 50 overs, having given up eight wickets in the process.

Ireland failed to bowl out the hosts who reached their target in the middle of the 43rd over with four wickets to spare.

Squads

Zimbabwe: Mary-Anne Musonda (C), Ashley Day, Chiedza Dhururu, Precious Marange, Esther Mbofana, Pellagia Mujaji, Modester Mupachikwa, Josephine Nkomo, Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loreen Tshuma.

Ireland: Laura Delany (C), Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Sophie McMahon, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Celeste Raack, Rebecca Stokell

Match Info

The match will get underway at 7:30 am GMT and will be played Harare Sports Club in the Zimbabwean capital of the same name. Zimbabwe Cricket is expected to show the game live on YouTube.

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Zimbabwe chased down the target of 253 that Ireland had built up and scored 254 runs with 37 balls to spare to take the lead in the four-game series.

The hosts’ captain, Mary-Anne Musonda, scored a century to lead her side to victory in the country’s capital of Harare, going unbeaten in the process.

With her final score of 103, Musonda became Zimbabwe’s first-ever woman centurion, capping off a historic day with another milestone for the home side to celebrate.

The captain formed healthy partnerships throughout the 50 overs and her teammates contributed positively to the chase, with Precious Marange and Josephine Nkomo posting 27 and 25 runs each during their spells at-bat.

This came after two early wickets had spelled danger for the Zimbabweans, as the Irish held them to 25/2 after just 5.2 overs.

The Irish opening partnership of Leah Paul and Gaby Lewis lasted longer but were much less successful as they only managed 28 runs in 8.2 overs before Paul walked.

Lewis only managed 24 runs off 51 balls before she received her marching orders when Marange removed her, having separated the opening partnership earlier.

Laura Delany was the standout for Ireland on a slow day – the captain racked up 86 in a strong push to reach 253 after the side had managed a run rate of only 3.5 per over in the first 28.

She fell with only several overs to go and two more wickets followed after hers before the 50 overs came to a close.

Ireland failed to bowl out the hosts who reached their target in the middle of the 43rd over with four wickets to spare.

The two teams will play the second ODI in the four-match series on Thursday, September 7, with the game set to begin at 6 am BST.

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Their win came less than 24 hours after the senior side defeated Australia in front of over 3,000 fans at Tallaght Stadium.

With time ticking down in Lisbon, Cork City defender Heidi Macken popped up to score the winning goal for the Irish.

The youngster made the most telling impact at the most crucial time as referee Sofia Gamas blew the final whistle moments after that to allow Ireland to extend their celebrations.

Head Coach James Scott made some changes to his line-up following last Monday’s 3-1 loss to the same opponent and there was a freshness about their play in the Portuguese heat.

It was the hosts who struck first with a shot from distance rattling the Irish crossbar before Claudia Keenan was called on to make a vital save on 18 minutes.

However, Ireland did produce some neat passages of play – a characteristic of Scott’s teams – with Lia O’Leary shooting just wide of the target and also registering a second effort at goal.

Abby Larkin tested the alertness of the Portuguese goalkeeper, Eve Dossen headed wide when meeting a free-kick delivery, and Michaela Lawrence clipped the top of the crossbar with a shot.

While Portugal did have some chances, it was Ireland who looked the most likely to score with Larkin again going close.

However, luck seemed to be evading them until Macken changed that for them.

The watch had gone past the 90th minute when Macken got the goal that ends this trip to Portugal on a high and should give Ireland plenty of confidence going into their UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championship qualifiers.

Republic of Ireland: Keenan; Thompson, Dossen (Fleming 68), Macken, O’Hanlon; O’Mahony (O’Brien 80), Lawrence (O’Riley 68); Long (Kelly 56), Loughrey (McCarn 80), O’Leary (Ralph 80); Larkin.

Portugal: Faria; Ramos, Vinhas, Cardoso, Pinto, Francisca; Ferreira, Martins, Joao, Simas, Doce.

Referee: Sofia Gama (Portugal).

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