After what can not be called the most memorable of seasons for the ladies in blue, there is finally the prospect of silverware for the efforts put in over the past few months. 

Last Sunday the Wegians ladies found themselves in the all Ireland Plate semi-final against Newbridge RFC. Though the fixture was fixed as a home game, due to weather and pitch conditions at Glenina, the game was played at the NUIG pitch in Dangan. Whether it was the trip across the city that fired this team up or not, for the first time this year that Galwegians hit the ground running with a try from influential Captain Tandy Johnson, which was successfully converted by kicker Nuala Ni Chadhain.

With weather conditions going through all four seasons inside the eighty minutes, the first half saw a largely forward dominated game. Shortly after Johnson had scored, a strong pick and go from the base of the scrum by number eight Emer O ‘Dowd set flanker Jean Wynne up for another pick and finding no one at home behind the ruck, it was a try for the number seven just returning from injury.

Playing at full back Nuala Ni Chadhain showed her experience and calmness under pressure in dealing with high balls. Newbridge continually kicked straight to Ni Chadhain and to their detriment this lead to a hat trick of tries for Ni Chadhain. Winger Maura Doyle on what was her first start for Galwegians played great support to her fullback on the day and was indeed unlucky to get her name on the score sheet.

The second half saw a much more open game and with the wind dying down some great handling between backs and forwards saw Tandy Johnson score again (though she could have given the kicker a little help by going closer to the posts!).

Heather Carey playing out of position on the wing, compared to her recent outings at flank, excelled on the day, showing good interplay with her back row forwards and was instrumental in tries scored by Caroline Price and Tandy Johnson.

Also, outstanding on the day was Oughterard native Emer O' Halloran, playing in 2^nd Row her work rate was exceptional as was her handling which would have been worthy of a place in any backline on the day.

With a few exceptions Newbridge never looked like scoring and any chances were snuffed out by the blues scrambling defense.

Under such bad weather conditions, credit must be given to referee Sinead Cosgrave who was very astute in her decisions for both sides

March 22^nd will see Galwegians travel to Navan where they hope to retain the All Ireland Plate which they successfully won in 2007.

Galwegians: Tandy Johnson (Capt), Angela Flaherty, Ruth O' Reilly, Cliodhna Hughes, Marta Cadoni, Jean Wynne, Emer O'Dowd, Annie Johnson, Soracha Ni Chadhain, Eva Neville, Caroline Price, Heather Carey, Maura Doyle, Nuala Ni Chadhain.

Replacement: Collette Caffrey, Wendy Hickey and Lindsay Belzie