The Student Sport Ireland / Irish Rugby Football Union Women’s Rugby Leagues were completed recently with University of Limerick winning the Division 1 title, while South East Technological University Carlow capturing the Division 2 title.

University of Limerick gained revenge for losing out in the 2021-22 final against University College Dublin when the Limerick side travelled to Bellefield Bowl for a repeat final. It was to be a dominant display from the University of Limerick side as they captured the honours on a 17-0 score line.

South East Technological University Carlow and University College Cork met in the Division 2 final on the main campus in the Carlow college. This was a pulsating clash with a number of tries being scored by both sides. With SETU Carlow racing into a strong lead at half time, UCC powered back in the second half of the game, but two late tries saw the home side take the title on a 38-22 score line.

This year Division 1 and Division2 competitions were combined for the group stages with eight teams competing with 15 a side games, with the top two in each group advancing to the Division 1 semi-finals while the 3rd and 4th placed teams in the group stages advancing to the Division 2 semi-finals. This structure proved very popular with teams and gave everyone a chance to get more games.

A new 10-a-side Division 3 competition is at semi-final stage and the semi-finals will be completed in the new year as TUS Midwest play UCD B and ATU Sligo host University of Limerick B.

The women’s rugby sides will have a busy second semester with the IURU Kay Bowen Cup taking place on Wednesday February 1st, before the SSI/IRFU Cup Competitions begin on February 8th. The draws and launch of the SSI/IRFU Cup Competitions take place in the Aviva Stadium on January 13th at 11.30am.