With the Six Nations around the corner, Leinster Women’s Rugby turns its attention to the Paul Flood Cup, writes Sarah Lennon…
Whilst I never knew or met Paul Flood, I have heard any number of very fond stories about the St Mary’s Man. Paul Flood died in 2008 and at the time of his death he was the coach of the St Mary’s women’s team. Those who speak so fondly of him say that he was an extremely strong advocate from women’s rugby and in particular women’s rugby at St Mary’s RFC.
In 2010 the decision was made to establish the Paul Flood Memorial Cup for the senior women’s teams in Leinster. Teams from across the AIL leagues compete for the trophy in what has become the meat in the AIL league and Cup sandwich.
The first title was competed for in 2010 and fittingly the final was held in Templeville Road and perhaps more fittingly it was St Mary’s themselves who won the title that year with the narrowest of 5-0 wins over Old Belvedere. The second season saw Galwegians, who are included in the Leinster cup as they are AIL’s only Connacht representative, win the title with a comprehensive win in Stradbrook over Old Belvedere, runners up for the second season in a row. Last season saw Old Belvedere finally get the monkey off the back as they took the title with a 12-0 victor over Blackrock at Stradbrook (pic).
Old Belvo will fancy their chances again this season after finishing 2nd in the AIL league and having a large representation in the Leinster set up. However one of the interesting aspects of the Paul Flood Cup is that International players are not eligible due to being in Irish camp and the women’s 6 nations championship running during the competition. The absence of the big guns can prove a leveller and it remains to be seen who will prevail.
Another aspect of the cup is that although it is a ‘cup’ it has a round robin format. 7 teams compete with Blackrock, Galwegians, Navan, New Ross, Old Belvedere, Portlaoise and St Mary’s all playing each other once. The team on top after 7 rounds goes directly into the final with teams 2&3 playing a semi to make up the other final place.
The opening round took place over the weekend and the opening games saw 2010 champions Galwegians put down a marker with a 40-5 win over Blackrock. Portlaoise prevailed over Navan and Old Belvedere overcame local rivals St Mary’s by 7-3.
With the opening in the bag and games through until the final on April 21st, the cup represents a long campaign with each team guaranteed 6 matches and with the AIL cup to follow there’s plenty of rugby left to be played this season and after a relatively short league season this will be welcomed by many of the team and players.
Sarah Lennon (@sarahlennon08) is passionate about all things rugby. A Leinster Season Ticket holder since the Donnybrook days, a supporter of the Irish teams home and abroad and can regularly be seen cheering on Junior Rugby at Stillorgan RFC (a labour of love). As well as spectating, she dabbles in playing a bit and is a member of Old Belvedere RFC and fully paid up member of the front row union.
