Cooke got off to a disappointing start in the Women’s All Ireland League on Saturday evening going down 7 – 38 to Old Belvedere at Shaw’s Bridge.

Old Belvedere got off to a lightning quick start racking up 17 points in the opening 10 minutes against a disjointed Cooke as Gemma Matthews, Fiona Tuite and Grace Millar crossed in quick succession. Ailbhe Dowling converting one.

The home side eventually put the breaks on their free scoring opponents and began to work their way back into the match with the half ending on a positive note as Hannah Kilgore crossed and Vicky Irwin converted.

However the visitors racked up another three tries in the final quarter, with Dowling converting all three, as Irish Internationals Sene Naoupu and Megan Williams (2) both crossed to wrap up a convincing win.

Final score: Cooke 7 Old Belvedere 38

Photo credit – Bob Given Photography