Clovers 57-31 Glasgow Warriors

18 January 2026; Alana McInerney of Clovers on her way to scoring a try despite the efforts of Briar McNamara during the Celtic Challenge Round 4 match between Clovers and Glasgow Warriors at the Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Glasgow Warriors were under pressure from the off-set, as the side were down to 14-players when Nicole Flynn was shown a yellow card for a high tackle shortly after kick-off.

Clovers opted to kick the penalty into touch, however, a knock-on in the driving maul brought their attack to a halt.

Warriors were able to make up valuable territory with the ball going quickly through the side’s hands, however, the visitors were penalised for crossing, giving Clovers some breathing space.

Glasgow Warriors’ patience was rewarded when Briar McNamara capitalised on an error from the Clovers, as a pass from the hosts went to the ground, with McNamara chipping the ball towards the line before collecting and dotting down. Ceitidh Ainsworth added the extras after slotting the conversion through the posts (0-7).

Clovers’ response was swift, as moments later the side were able to get on the scoreboard when Alana McInerney raced over the whitewash (5-7).

The hosts were able to build on their growing momentum when Caitriona Finn crashed over to score, bringing Clovers into the lead for the first time in the game (10-7).

Clovers extended their lead when Anna McGann sprinted over into the corner to score, with Finn nailing the tricky touchline conversion (17-7).

Growing in confidence, Clovers displayed their flair in attack as Finn threw a pass out wide to McInerney, with the winger putting her foot on the gas to score, with Finn adding the extras (24-7).

The tables turned in the last ten minutes, as a fantastic initial break from Poppy Mellanby saw Warriors thunder into Clovers’ territory, before the full-back passed the ball to Flynn who cruised over the line (24-12).

Sensing another opportunity, Glasgow launched another attack and were rewarded when Emily Coubrough crashed over the line in the final minute of the first-half, with Ainsworth adding the extras (24-19).

HALF-TIME: Clovers 24-19 Glasgow Warriors

Clovers enjoyed a bright start to the second-half, as Sadhbh McGrath punctured her way through the defence to score from close range, with a successful conversion from Finn (31-19).

The hosts were able to extend their lead through Niamh Murphy, who powered past a number of defenders before dotting down on the line, with Finn adding the extras (38-19).

Clovers kept the scoreboard ticking as replacement Katie Wheelan crashed over the line, with Finn keeping up her successful kicking rate following another conversion (45-19).

Warriors regained composure and took advantage of a Clovers error, allowing co-captain Holland Bogan to get her hands on the ball on the try-line (45-24).

The hosts relentless attack persisted and Clovers grabbed their eighth try of the match through Aoibheann McGrath, with Finn adding the extras (52-24).

In a gutsy display towards the final stages, Glasgow Warriors battled back to claim an important try bonus point through Flynn, with Ainsworth slotting the conversion through the posts (52-31).

Clovers had the final say in the game, however, when Aoife Corey scored in the last minute of the game to bring the match to a close (57-31).

Speaking after the match, Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Lindsey Smith, said: “It wasn’t good enough today. We switched off for too long and we didn’t play our way.

“It was pleasing to get a bonus point and we take something from today. I think we showed when we are on the ball we are dangerous but we weren’t clinical enough for long enough and that hurt us today.”

FULL-TIME: Clovers 57-31 Glasgow Warriors