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Episode 2 of The Women's Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle reflects on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Energia All-Ireland League Women's Division, with the first results in Divisions 1A and 1B setting the tone for the season ahead as attention turns to another exciting round of fixtures. Host Diarmuid Kearney is joined once again by Stacy Hanley (Galwegians), while Hannah Johnston (Railway Union) steps in for Aimee Clarke, who is enjoying a well-earned holiday to Disneyland. The trio bring player insight, tactical analysis and plenty of dressing-room perspective as they dissect the opening weekend and look ahead to Round 2. There is an added twist to this week's panel, with Stacy and Hannah having lined out together for Connacht during the summer. Former provincial teammates will become club rivals this weekend as Galwegians and Railway Union prepare to face off in Division 1A, giving the pair plenty to discuss ahead of their reunion on opposite sides of the pitch. The episode begins with a review of Round 1 across Divisions 1A and 1B, as the panel examines the standout performances, early talking points and results that have already begun to shape the new campaign. From opening-day victories to lessons learned in defeat, the trio assess what the first weekend has revealed about the clubs competing in the newly structured league. Attention then turns to Round 2, with another intriguing set of fixtures on the horizon. The panel previews the key match-ups, discusses where the early momentum might shift and considers which sides will be looking to build on their opening performances. The podcast also welcomes Maggie Boylan ahead of a highly anticipated rematch with UL Bohemian. After suffering defeat in last season's All-Ireland League final, there is plenty of motivation heading into this weekend's encounter, with Maggie reflecting on that disappointment, the lessons taken from the occasion and the challenge of facing familiar opposition once again. From provincial teammates becoming club opponents to a repeat of last season's showpiece final, Episode 2 brings together the rivalries, storylines and player perspectives that make the Energia AIL such a compelling competition. Full fixtures, results and league tables are available throughout the season on FinalWhistle.ie, download our app on the Apple or Google play store. Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know at the Final Whistle.

The Women's Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle returns for Season 2, with a new campaign, a new league structure and plenty of anticipation ahead of the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Energia All-Ireland League Women's Division. Host Diarmuid Kearney is joined by Aimee Clarke (Railway Union) and Stacy Hanley (Galwegians) as the panel looks ahead to the start of a new era in women's club rugby. With the introduction of Divisions 1A and 1B, the trio break down the opening fixtures, assess the challenges facing each club and discuss what supporters can expect as the new season gets underway. With fresh rivalries, renewed ambitions and plenty to prove, the panel explores how each side is shaping up for the campaign ahead, examining the key match-ups, potential contenders and early-season storylines across both divisions. The episode also features an extensive collection of interviews from all 12 clubs, bringing supporters directly into the camps ahead of the opening weekend. In Division 1A, the podcast hears from Nikki Gibson (Blackrock College), Jemma Lees (Galwegians), Emma Kelly (Old Belvedere), Aimee Clarke (Railway Union), Kate Flannery (UL Bohemian) and Laura Newsome (Wicklow) as the six clubs prepare to begin their campaigns in the top flight. Attention then turns to Division 1B, where Eve Prendergast (Ballincollig), Bronach Cassidy (Cooke), Aisling Heapes (Ennis), Sophie Meeke (Enniskillen), Órflaith Murray (MU Barnhall) and Sara Rennick (Tullow) offer their perspectives on the season ahead, the challenges awaiting their teams and their ambitions in the new division. From established contenders to clubs looking to make their mark, the opening episode brings together player insight, tactical analysis and perspectives from across the league as the Energia AIL enters an exciting new chapter. Full fixtures, results and league tables will be available throughout the season on FinalWhistle.ie. Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know at the Final Whistle.

Episode 13 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle is a special two-part edition as the panel dive into the semi-final stage of the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division, with both League and Conference semi-finals on the horizon, alongside a crucial promotion/relegation clash. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, the show blends tactical breakdowns, player insight, and press-box perspective, with Part 1 focusing on the Conference semi-finals and the high stakes meeting between Tullow and Shannon. The trio preview a huge weekend of action, with Wicklow taking on Ennis (Saturday, 1:30pm) and Galwegians facing Ballincollig (Saturday, 5pm), a tie that sees Stacy directly involved. Attention then turns to Sunday’s decisive clash, as Tullow meet Shannon (4pm) with promotion and relegation on the line. This week’s episode features voices from across all four semi-finalists, with Wicklow co-captain Rachel Griffey and Ennis captain Micaela Glynn discussing their upcoming showdown, while Galwegians stalwart Orla Dixon joins alongside Ballincollig’s twins Aoife and Ciara Fleming to preview their meeting. Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know as the season reaches its climax at the Final Whistle.

Episode 12 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle is a bumper edition as the panel dive into the final round of the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division, along with the promotion play-off semi-finals and a showpiece weekend in the Celtic Challenge. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, the show blends tactical breakdowns, player insight, and press-box perspective as league positions are finalised, semi-final places confirmed, and survival battles resolved. The trio reflect on the drama of Round 18, with Aimee and Stacy discussing their final regular season outings, while the panel breaks down how the table finished, from semi-final qualifiers to the side that secured safety at the bottom end of the Division, and the two new teams coming into the Division next season after the play-off semi-finals. Attention then turns to the Celtic Challenge Final, where the Wolfhounds and Clovers went head-to-head at Hive Stadium, with the Wolfhounds making it three titles in a row. This week’s special guest is Aoife Dalton, who at just 22 captained the side to victory. She joins the show to reflect on the win and her journey into the squad, having broken through the Ireland team at a young age. The panel also looks ahead to the Six Nations, discussing the growing support around the team and the importance of building strong attendances for women’s rugby. Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know as the season reaches its climax at the Final Whistle.

Episode 11 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle is a bumper edition as the panel dive into the penultimate round of the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division, with the race for semi-finals intensifying and a huge weekend looming across both domestic and representative rugby. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, the show blends tactical breakdowns, player insight, and press-box perspective as league positions, promotion hopes, and play-off places all come sharply into focus. The trio reflect on the drama of Round 17, highlighted by Tullow ending a 34-game losing streak to secure their first-ever win in the competition, one of the standout moments of the season. Looking ahead, the panel previews the final round of AIL fixtures, what’s at stake for all ten teams, and the upcoming promotion semi-finals. This week’s guests include Tullow stalwart Alex O’Brien, who joins the show to discuss the emotion behind that historic victory and the significance of their upcoming clash with Ennis. Shannon captain Annakate Cournane also features, looking ahead to their play-off semi-final with MU Barnhall, while the other semi-final sees Enniskillen take on Tuam. Attention then turns to a massive weekend in the Celtic Challenge, with the Clovers and Wolfhounds meeting in the final at the Hive in what promises to be a showcase occasion for Irish women’s rugby. The panel also reacts to the newly announced Ireland squad for the Six Nations, discussing the key selections and those unlucky to miss out. Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know as the season sharpens at the Final Whistle.

Episode 10 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle is a bumper edition as the panel dive into the penultimate round of the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division, with qualifying semi-finals looming and a huge weekend ahead both domestically and in the Celtic Challenge. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, the show combines tactical breakdowns, player insight, and press-box perspective as the race for semi-final places and final league positioning reaches a critical stage. Both Aimee Clarke and Stacy Hanley look ahead to massive fixtures for their sides, with results set to have a direct impact on the semi-final picture. The panel also previews the remaining ties, including a key clash between Tullow and Cooke at the bottom end of the table, where this week’s guest Teah Morton joins the show to reflect on an incredible career with Cooke, 16 seasons and 200 caps with the Ulster club, as they aim to secure safety this weekend. Away from the AIL, attention turns to a huge day in the Celtic Challenge, with both the Clovers and Wolfhounds in semi-final action this Saturday at the Dexcom Stadium. The Clovers take to the field at 12pm, followed by the Wolfhounds at 3pm in what promises to be a defining afternoon for both sides. Ahead of those clashes, Katie Whelan (Clovers) and India Daley (Wolfhounds) join the podcast to preview the games and share their journeys into rugby, charting the path from grassroots to the international stage. Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know as the season sharpens at the Final Whistle.

Episode 9 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle returns for another deep dive into the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division, with the panel unpacking the drama from Round 16 as the season enters its final stretch with just two games remaining. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, the show combines tactical breakdowns, player insight, and press-box perspective as the race for semi-final places and league positioning intensifies. Both Aimee Clarke and Stacy Hanley reflect on big wins for their respective sides at the weekend, with semi-finals now firmly in sight and momentum building at the perfect time. The panel also looks across the Division as the latest results tighten the table and make positioning a major talking point heading into the closing weeks. Away from the AIL, attention also turns to the Celtic Challenge, where the Wolfhounds and Clovers went head-to-head in a fiery encounter at the weekend. With tempers flaring during the contest, the focus now shifts to the semi-finals coming up the following week. This week’s special guests are Ballincollig twins Aoife and Ciara Fleming, who join the show following their side’s impressive away win over Cooke. The pair discuss the continued growth of the club, their journey into rugby, the unique dynamic of playing together in the front row, and their focus heading into the final two games before the conference’s semi finals Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know as the season sharpens at the Final Whistle.

Episode 8 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle returns for another deep dive into the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division, with analysis from a dramatic Round 15 as the season heads into its final stretch with just three games remaining. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, the show blends tactical breakdowns with player insight and press-box perspective, setting the scene for a crucial run-in across the Division. It was a memorable weekend for both Aimee and Stacy, as their respective sides secured important victories and both hosts even crossed the whitewash themselves. The panel reflects on those performances and breaks down the key results that are shaping the closing weeks of the campaign. The team also look at the Clovers and Wolfhounds securing wins in the latest round of Celtic Challenge action, before the play their final game this weekend in an all Irish clash. This week’s special guest is Wicklow’s Renee Koper, the Netherlands native who joins the show to discuss Wicklow’s landmark win over a top-four side, a first in their AIL history. She chats about her move from Zandvoort to Wicklow, adapting to the step up in Irish rugby, and her view on the continued growth of the women’s game in Ireland. Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know as the season sharpens at the Final Whistle.

Episode 7 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle returns after a week’s hiatus with reaction, insight, and analysis from a dramatic Round 14 of the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division, as the run-in begins with just four games remaining. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, the show blends tactical breakdowns with player perspective and press-box insight, setting the scene for another crucial weekend in the league. After a short break following the Valentine’s fixtures, both Aimee Clarke and Stacy Hanley return refreshed, Aimee stepping into life as a DIY enthusiast after moving into a new house, while Stacy traded boots for Mickey Mouse Ears with a trip to Disneyland. Now back to business, the panel reacts to the key results from Round 14 and looks ahead to the fixtures that will shape the closing stretch of the season. This week’s special guest is Tullow captain Grace Kelly, who joins the show after her side secured a valuable losing bonus point against Old Belvedere. She discusses Tullow’s fight to pull away from the relegation zone, the belief within the squad, and their determination to end a long-standing losing streak in the weeks ahead. Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know as the season sharpens at the Final Whistle.

Episode 6 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle returns with all the action, insight, and analysis from a dramatic Round 13 of the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division, as the season heads into the business end. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, the episode blends tactical breakdowns, player insight, and perspective from both the pitch and the press box, giving listeners everything they need ahead of another pivotal weekend. With just five games remaining, league positions, top-four hopes, and momentum are more critical than ever. Both Aimee Clarke and Stacy Hanley face big weekends for their sides, and the panel previews the fixtures and storylines that will shape the final stretch of the season. This week’s special guests include Ennis out-half Megan O’Connor, who chats about the Clare sides remarkable debut season, their dramatic late win over Cooke, and the team’s ambitions for the remainder of the campaign. Attention also turns to the Celtic Challenge, where the Clovers and Wolfhounds return to action. Clovers and Ireland star Anna McGann joins the show for a feature interview to discuss the upcoming trip to Gwalia Lighting, her journey from hockey to rugby, her growth on TikTok, and her thoughts on where Irish women’s rugby stands after the Green Wave at last summer’s World Cup. Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know as the season sharpens at the Final Whistle.

Episode 5 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle sees the team return to look ahead to another pivotal weekend in the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division, as the season moves firmly into the business end. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, Episode 5 blends player insight, tactical breakdowns, and wider perspective across the domestic and representative game. Insight from the pitch, perspective from the press box, and everything you need to know from another big week in women’s rugby. With just six games remaining, the stakes are rising, and both Aimee Clarke and Stacy Hanley face big weekends for their respective sides as league positions, top-four hopes, and momentum all come sharply into focus. The panel previews the key fixtures and storylines as pressure builds across the Division. This week also features insight from Old Belvedere’s Emma Kelly, who drops in to reflect on their defeat to Galwegians last time out and discusses the challenge ahead as Belvo travel to Ballincollig, knowing a result is crucial to keeping their top-four ambitions alive. Attention then turns to the Celtic Challenge, where both the Clovers and Wolfhounds continued their strong form with another pair of wins. Rounding out the episode, Wolfhounds player and newly appointed Ireland captain Erin King joins the show to chat about her return to rugby after a knee injury ruled her out of the World Cup, her performances since coming back, and the honour of leading Ireland into the upcoming Six Nations. Big games, big voices, and big moments, everything you need to know as the season sharpens at the Final Whistle.

Episode 4 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle sees the team return to unpack another action-packed weekend in the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division. The panel reflects on Aimee Clarke’s Railway Union extending their unbeaten run at the top, while Stacy Hanley’s Galwegians delivered one of the performances of the round with a dramatic come-from-behind away win against Old Belvedere. From late twists to standout performances, the hosts dissect all the thrills and spills of Round 12, as the Division now heads into a well-earned mid-season break. Attention also turns to the Celtic Challenge, where both the Clovers and Wolfhounds continued their strong form with another pair of wins, reinforcing the positive momentum around the Irish sides. This week’s special guest is Railway Union’s Leah Tarpey, who joins the show to chat about her move to full-back, navigating an injury-hit pre-season, Railway’s impressive consistency, and her growing presence on TikTok, both on and off the pitch. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, Episode 4 blends player insight, tactical breakdowns, and wider perspective across the domestic and representative game. Insight from the pitch, perspective from the press box, and everything you need to know from another big week in women’s rugby, all the analysis, all the reaction, and everything you need to know at the Final Whistle.

Episode 3 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle sees the panel strike the balance between reflecting on a dramatic weekend just gone and looking ahead to another crucial round of action. With Round 12 on the horizon, the team first break down all the key moments from Round 11 of the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division. Aimee Clarke and Stacy Hanley share honest reflections on how their own games unfolded at the weekend, offering insight from inside the squads as results and performances are unpacked. Cup rugby also comes under the spotlight, as the hosts review the Energia Women’s Junior Cup Final, as MU Barnhall make it four wins in a row. The conversation then turns to the Celtic Challenge, as the Clovers and Wolfhounds have strong performances, with the Six Nations getting ever closer. This week’s special guest, Blackrock College captain Hannah O’Connor, joins the show to chat about her side’s remarkable 10 game winning streak, the standards driving their success, and the belief within the squad. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, Episode 3 delivers analysis, perspective, and player insight across the domestic and representative game. Insight from the pitch, perspective from the press box, and everything you need to know from another big week in women’s rugby.

Episode 2 of The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle brings plenty of reflection, reaction, and looking ahead across a packed weekend of women’s rugby. Hosted by Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley, the podcast blends first-hand experience, expert analysis, and forward-looking insight, covering everything from league battles and cup finals to the wider international pathway. Aimee Clarke and Stacy Hanley kick things off by reflecting on facing each other at the weekend, as the panel turns its attention to Round 10 of the All-Ireland League Women’s Division, breaking down the key results and talking points, and previewing what’s to come in Round 11. The conversation then shifts to cup rugby, as attention turns to Sunday’s Energia Women’s Junior Cup Final, with MU Barnhall co-captains Katelynn Doran and Órfhlaith Murray joining the show to chat about preparing for their fourth final in a row. There’s also a look beyond the domestic game, as the hosts assess a hugely positive weekend in the Celtic Challenge for the Wolfhounds and Clovers, and discuss what it means for Irish rugby heading into the next phase of the competition. Insight from the pitch, perspective from the press box, and everything you need to know from another big week in women’s rugby.

The Women’s Rugby Podcast on FinalWhistle launches with a special guest as Chloe Pearse, Munster and UL legend, joins the show to look ahead to this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with Ballincollig. Pearse reflects on life at the summit of the All-Ireland League, the standards driving them forward, and what it takes to stay there. Hosts Diarmuid Kearney, Aimee Clarke, and Stacy Hanley also work through the weekend’s All-Ireland League Women’s fixtures, breaking down key match-ups and storylines, before turning their attention to Irish involvement in the Celtic Challenge, assessing how both Irish sides have fared so far. Insight from the pitch, perspective from the press box, and everything you need to know ahead of the return of domestic women’s rugby.