UL Bohs To Face Belvedere in All Ireland Women’s Final

Following their 21-16 win over Railway Union yesterday at University of Limerick, UL Bohemian Women will take on reigning champions Old Belvedere on Saturday, 12th December in Donnybrook at 6pm in the All Ireland League Final.

Match Report Courtesy of www.irishrugby.ie

UL BOHEMIANS 21 RAILWAY UNION 16, University of Limerick 4G pitch

Storm Desmond was hitting the headlines this weekend and the inclement conditions saw both semi-finals kick off later than originally scheduled, with the UL Bohemians v Railway Union match moving from Annacotty to the University of Limerick's 4G pitch.

A frenetic and very physical encounter was played out between table toppers UL Bohemians and fourth-placed Railway Union. Their last meeting was a low-scoring 6-3 win for the Limerick side at Annacotty back in the competition's opening round in September.

Munster and Ireland captain Niamh Briggs, playing at out half, scored all of her side's 10 points in the first half, and the UL forwards were in dominant form with some great work from the likes of back rower Chloe Pearse and lock Aoife O'Sullivan.

Briggs opened the scoring with a penalty after two minutes. This was quickly cancelled out after Ireland Sevens squad member Kim Flood, playing on the wing, fired over a fifth minute penalty for Railway Union.

Railway built on this momentum as strong-running hooker Cliodhna Moloney, who made her Ireland debut against England last month, scored a try just two minutes later. Flood duly converted for 10-3.

Briggs then scored a try under the posts after some terrific work from the Bohs pack in the 17th minute and she tagged on the conversion for a 10-all scoreline. The remainder of the first half was particularly cagey, with both sides looking evenly-matched.

Despite another penalty from Flood early in the second half, Railway could not break through and UL gained vital momentum when O'Sullivan crossed the whitewash for an unconverted effort in the 52nd minute.

A penalty from Flood three minutes later proved to be the Dubliners' final score of the evening. A further penalty from Briggs, with 62 minutes on the clock, duly sealed a hard-earned victory for Bohs who will meet 'Belvo in a mouth-watering title decider at Donnybrook next Saturday evening.