Women’s AIL Roundup

Despite a late push, Highfield were just edged out of the playoff place on the final day by fellow Munster side UL Bohemians, who look forward to a home semi-final.

UL Bohemians, who finished top of the eight team league, will face fourth-placed Galwegians, while the other semi-final is a Dublin derby as Old Belvedere travel to Railway Union, who ended the season in second position.

Aoife O’Sullivan opened the scoring for the Limerick side on three minutes and they doubled their try tally 12 minutes in as Mairead Kelly touched down on 12 minutes, Edel Murphy kicking the conversion.

Another converted try followed ten minutes later through Rachel Allen Connelly and just before half-time Niamh Kavanagh was stopped short of the line after a daring solo run from inside her own half, UL Bohemians’ holding a 19-0 lead at the interval.

Despite pushing hard to keep their league season alive, Highfield just couldn’t force the issue against an imperious UL Bohs’ side thus far this season, they finally crossed the tryline 73rd minute, Nicola Scully finishing in the corner but it was too little too late for the Bishopstown outfit.

There was still time however for Eimear Considine to wrap up the bonus point victory in the final minute to hand the visitors a 26-5 victory to seal a regular league season with just the single defeat.

Elsewhere St Mary’s will be heading back to the Leinster league after a 49-36 defeat at Galwegians in a pulsating contest. 14 tries in all at Crowley Park, but ultimately an unfortunate ending for them, as former Irish star Carol Staunton played her final game.

With Highfield losing Old Belvedere’s game against Blackrock didn’t make a huge amount of difference, however a bonus point victory against local rivals Blackrock will give them confidence heading into their visit to Railway Union, who beat Cooke 46-20 at Willow Park.

Results:

Blackrock 5, Old Belvedere 29;

Galwegians 49, St Mary’s 36;

Highfield 5, UL Bohemians 26;

Railway Union 46, Cooke 20.