UL Bohs Secure Women’s All Ireland Cup Final Spot
27th January 2020 By The Editor
Claire Bennett of UL Bohemians.
Both semi-finals of the Women’s All-Ireland Cup served up some classic knockout rugby with UL Bohemian and Old Belvedere the last teams left standing in the 2020 competition.
Holders UL Bohs once again had to find a way past Railway Union to reach the decider and came through a tense affair 18-12. Fiona Hayes’ side looked free and clear with a 12-0 lead at half-time, but had to withstand a second half onslaught from Railway. Quick fire tries from Grace Moore and Deirdre Roberts had the sides level at 12-12.
“The girls put on a performance today that absolutely blew me away,” said Hayes told Irish Rugby TV in the below video. “We were under the cosh for a little while and the defence we’d worked on mid-week paid off. I’m delighted to come away from here and be in a cup final.”
UL Bohemian’s forward prowess took its toll on their hosts and Railway were forced to concede a penalty try while 18 year old Alana McInerney continued to hone her finishing skills at this level with her third try in as many games.
Railway’s comeback prompted some clinical game management from Bohs. Big carries from the likes of Sarah Quin and Chloe Pearse led to penalties and Nicole Fitzgerald teed up the points to see them through.
The semi-final on the other side of the draw was an equally close encounter.
Old Belvedere saw off Suttonians 25-22 at home thanks to some clutch kicking from Jemma Jackson.
The Women’s All-Ireland Cup Finals Day takes place on Saturday March 21st, 2020.
RAILWAY UNION 12 UL BOHEMIAN 18, Park Avenue
Scorers: Railway Union: Tries: Grace Moore, Deirdre Roberts; Con: Nikki Caughey. UL Bohemian: Tries: Penalty Try, Alana McInerney; Pens: Nicole Fitzgerald 2.
HT: Railway Union 0 UL Bohemian 12
RAILWAY UNION: Aoife O’Shaughnessy, Stephanie Carroll, Niamh Byrne, Amanda McQuade, Cliodhna O’Connor, Nicola Caughey, Molly Scuffil McCabe; Grainne O’Loughlin, Lisa Callan, Aoife Moore, Keelin Brady, Kate McCarthy, Grace Moore, Deirdre Roberts, Molly Boyne.
Replacements: Claire Coombes, Sonia McDermott, Meaghan Kenny, Heather Carey, Christine Coffey, Emer O’Mahony.
UL BOHEMIAN: Erin Coll, Laura O’Mahony, Stephanie Nunan, Niamh Kavanagh, Alana McInerney, Nicole Fitzgerald, Helen McDermott; Chloe Pearse, Kate Sheehan, Fiona Reidy, Ciara O’Halloran, Claire Bennett, Clodagh O’Halloran, Edel Murphy, Sarah Quin.
Replacements: Orla Curtin, Aoife O’Sullivan, Shelly Ring, Lily Brady, Emma Doolan, Sarah Garrett, Niamh O’Neill.
