Please join the Old Belvedere Ladies Team for an Open Day on Thursday, August 12th at 7 PM.

We will get in a bit of training, answer all of your questions about playing for Old Belvedere, and have some fun. Stickaround and get to know the team at a Barbecue following training.

We are looking for players of all levels and experience. Rugby is a great way to keep fit and make lifelong friends. Regular training sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 PM. For more information, contact Roisin at oldbelvedereladies@gmail.com.

  No Comments |   General News, What's On, Women's Rugby

  No Comments |   General News, Junior, Uncategorized, What's On, Women's Rugby

OLD BELVEDERE 28 CITY OF DERRY 3, Dubarry Park

Scorers: Old Belvedere: Tries: Nora Stapleton 2, Ruth Gleeson, Marie Therese Bolger; Con: Elaine Colahan; Pens: Elaine Colahan 2
City of Derry: Pen: Rachel Lennox

While the men’s team were busy regaining their AIB League status against Portadown, the women from City of Derry went chasing their own silverware but for the second year in a row at Dubarry Park, City of Derry were bridesmaids in the Women’s League Division 2 decider.

Old Belvedere proved too slick and pacy to ease to a comfortable 28-3 triumph after a delayed kick off to Saturday afternoon’s proceedings.

The northerners had the help of the freshening breeze in the opening period and opened the scoring with a Rachel Lennox penalty after 13 minutes.

But ‘Belvo steadily came more into the game as the half progressed and Elaine Colahan’s 28th-minute penalty had the teams level 3-3 at the break.

Within a minute of the restart, Old Belvedere had grabbed the lead when Ireland international Nora Stapleton scampered in for a try on the right and, five minutes later, Colahan’s second penalty put the Dubliners 11-3 to the good.

Although City of Derry, who secured promotion this season, battled willingly to the bitter end, Old Belvedere took firmer control on the action with Ruth Gleeson notching their second try before the hour mark.

Centre Stapleton, the standout performer in this game, finished off some fine interplay for her second try, this time on the left, before Marie Therese Bolger powered over in the closing moments for the victors’ fourth touchdown.

Colahan’s conversion completed the action and the clearcut 28-3 margin.

  No Comments |   General News, What's On, Women's Rugby

Old Belvedere and Blackrock haven’t met in a number of years and so this game was never going to be easy to call. Blackrock, currently placed second in Division 1 league had the favourites tag. Old Belvedere, top of Division 2 North, however, were confident that they could cause an upset.
The game opened with a strong start from Old Belvedere who, after a good bit of pressure on the Blackrock line, converted a penalty given away by Blackrock under the posts. Blackrock came back strongly with 2 tries. One came after a couple of missed tackles from the Belvedere defense, the second from a quick penalty, both unconverted. This left the score at 10-3. 
With 15 minutes left to go in the first half and after some tremendous work in Blackrock’s half, Old Belvedere got the put in to a scrum. This was quickly spun out to the backs who worked a well rehearsed move to get the full back, Emer McElhinney over the line. The try was converted by Elaine Cohalan and left the score at 10-10 at half time.
 
The second half was all about the defense. Both teams put in some great tackles and defended their lines vigourously. Old Belvedere broke the line a number of times around mid field but alas, could not threaten the try line. With 7 minutes to go Blackrock got their reward for huge pressure on the Belvedere try line. The try was converted and made the score 17-10. Old Belvedere finished well with continued pressure on Blackrock in their half but time ran out. Blackrock now face UL Bohemians in the All Ireland Cup Final next Saturday 10th April.

  No Comments |   What's On, Women's Rugby

In their first match of the Paul Flood Cup Tournament, the Belvo ladies beat a previously undefeated Portlaoise squad 24 – 0.

The Belvedere women started the match with solid play and intensity from each number, leading to four tries by then end of the first half. Suzanne Furney, playing second row, was the first to cross the line – diving for the try after collecting the ball from the back of a ruck on the five metre mark.

The Belvo pack was strong in the scrum and the defensive line. Ruth McElroy stepped in as number eight and made several key runs throughout the match.  Sheena Moore moved from her usual second row position to flanker and continually halted the Portlaoise offensive runs.

In the back line Olive MacDonagh, returning from a three month injury hiatus, made game changing runs and passes as centre, gaining crucial metres and repeatedly setting up the wing for breakaway runs. Two of these plays were converted to tries by winger, Aoife O’Brien.

The most dramatic try of the match came when Elaine Cohalan kicked through the Portlaoise defensive line, caught her own ball on the bounce and powered over the line. Cohalan converted two of the four tries as well.

The Portlaoise squad came back from the half time break strong and held Belvo from their try line for the duration of the match.  Their determined pack turned over several Belvo possessions, but they were unable to break through the Belvo defense and remained scoreless.

This win and extra point coupled with a five point allocation from a Navan walkover, puts Belvo in good standing for success in the overall cup competition. The next match will be at home against Portarlington, 1 PM kickoff, Sunday 7 February. Please come support the Belvo ladies.

  No Comments |   General News, What's On, Women's Rugby

Scoring their initial try in the first two minutes of play, Belvo set the tone for the rest of the match.

Despite a disorderly start, the speed of the Belfast back line, and tenacity of their pack, the Belvo ladies maintained control of the play for the entire 80 minutes. Continually winning the ball at the breakdown and getting it cleanly out to an unstoppable back line, led by out half Elaine Cohalan.

With the return of hooker, Shelly Doyle, the Belvo pack dominated at every opportunity. Number eight, Marie-Therese Bolger, broke the try line twice early in the match fortifying the Belvo lead.

Playing centre, Nora Stapleton made an unbelievable five trys. Other tries were scored by Shelly Doyle and fullback Emer McElhinney. Elaine Cohalan kicked some difficult conversions with an impressive 8 successful.

  No Comments |   General News, What's On, Women's Rugby

Due to the current weather situation all matches, including our AIB League clash with Buccaneers, have been cancelled for the coming weekend (8th-11th Jan, 2010).

Trainging for Juniors/U21s/Ladies has also been cancelled.

  No Comments |   Fixtures, General News, Junior, Senior, What's On, Women's Rugby

Belvo fullback Nora Stapleton has been named in the Leinster Ladies starting XV for the opening match of the Interprovincal series.

The opponents are Connaght and admission to the match is free (Donnybrook, 2:30, Sunday)

Old Belvedere wishes her the very best of luck on Sunday.   

  No Comments |   General News, Women's Rugby

Old Belvedere is proud to announce that our Ladies fullback Nora Stapleton has been selected in the Leinster Women’s Squad for the Interprovincial Series.

Leinster play their first match this Sunday against Connacht.

Well done to Nora on her selection.  She has been a great servant to the club and we wish her well for the coming season.

For more info please visit the IRFU pages by clicking here.

  No Comments |   General News, Women's Rugby

Old Belvedere Ladies fell at home to a strong Portloaise side at Anglesea Road on Sunday.

A sleepy start from the home side gave the visitors a 12-0 lead after just fifteen minutes.

However, Belvo upped the effort and were rewarded with a try shortly after from Centre Shannon Reid (converted by Elaine Cohalan).

The fast paced opening continued as Portliaise scored a third try not long after to make it 17-7. 

Old Belvedere then exerted a lengthy period of pressure on the opponent’s line and winger Emer McElhiney finished off a good team move by cleverly twisting herself and the ball over the white wash (see image below). Cohlan again converted.

Halftime 17-14

Belvo indiscipline allowed Portlaise to extend their lead to 20-14 with a penalty not long after the break.

Old Belvedere looked set to at least get a bonus point after excellent forward work saw prop Audrey Messina cross the line late in the second half and the conversion was again added by Elaine Cohalan.

Sadly two late scores from the away side, including one in the last minute, meant Belvo failed to even claim a bonus point.

To see images from the match click here.

  No Comments |   General News, Women's Rugby