Women’s All Ireland League Final | Fixture Details & Preview

Donnybrook will be the venue for the upcoming Women’s All-Ireland League final on Saturday week (April 27). Defending champions UL Bohemians and first-time finalists Railway Union go head-to-head as the club season comes to an exciting climax.

It will be a double header at the Donnybrook venue next week as the Provincial Qualifying League final between Malone and Suttonians will be the curtain raiser at 12.30pm. The winners of that game will be promoted to the All-Ireland League for next season, making it an eight-team division along with the current seven clubs.

The day’s headline act is guaranteed a historic outcome with John Cronin’s Railway side chasing the club’s maiden top flight title – they were Division 2 champions in 2014 – and UL Bohs, who are coached by Australian Ben Martin, bidding to claim a three-in-a-row and extend their record haul to 14 league trophies. They are also 80 minutes away from a league and cup double.

With nine wins and a draw, the Red Robins finished top of the table for the fourth year in a row. Former Ireland captain Niamh Briggs has played a leading role, top-scoring with 90 points, while Stephanie Nunan and captain Fiona Hayes scored their fifth tries of the season during last Saturday’s 20-0 semi-final win over Blackrock. Back rower Chloe Pearse leads the way with six tries.

After three heartbreaking semi-finals in recent seasons, Railway Union got the job done against Old Belvedere last weekend with a terrific 29-7 victory at Anglesea Road. Playing at number 8, Lindsay Peat’s closing score topped off a five-try performance that gives them plenty of momentum heading into the decider.

The south Dubliners are back-boned by a number of 15s and Sevens internationals, with versatile Canadian forward Emma Taylortopping their scoring charts with seven tries, while New Zealand-born centre Meg Kendal, a try scorer against ‘Belvo, is another classy operator. They finished third in the table and won the All-Ireland Plate last month.

WOMEN’S PROVINCIAL QUALIFYING LEAGUE FINAL:

Malone v Suttonians, Donnybrook, 12.30pm, Saturday, April 27

WOMEN’S ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE FINAL:

Railway Union v UL Bohemians, Donnybrook, 3pm, Saturday, April 2