13 wins in succession now for UL Bohemian, Fiona Hayes’s charges leaving it late to defeat Blackrock and sit ten clear at the summit. Railway Union and Old Belvedere are just behind in the race to make this year’s final. Elsewhere Suttonians picked up a first win since December.
Blackrock College (2T) 15-17 UL Bohemian (3T), Stradbrook
Aoife Corey crossed in the dying embers to see UL Bohs win a 13th game in succession in the Women’s AIL, ten clear at the summit with four games left to play.
Blackrock would edge a cagey opening half of action, Aoife Moore crossing for a converted try by Abby Moyles, Moyles also landed a penalty to keep Rock further ahead as Stephanie Nunan crossed for the visitors. Rock ahead 10-5 at the interval.
UL did reply in the second half to lead with Fiona Reidy going over and Kate Flannery making it a two point game from the tee. Blackrock replied with their second try from Niamh Griffin for a 15-12 lead as the conversion missed the mark. Corey would prove the match winner, the full-back gliding over for an important try for the Red Robin’s season.
Old Belvedere (12T) 72-12 Galwegians (2T), Ollie Campbell Park
Emma Tilly crossed for five tries as Old Belvedere produced a dominant display with twelve tries tallied in their win over Galwegians.
Tilly crossed for four of the five tries in the opening half, Megan Edwards also on the mark as those five tries went unconverted. Wegians were still in the game as Grace Browne Moran, and Gemma Faulkner crossed for tries as Emma Keane slotted a conversion. The gap 25-12 at the interval.
Belvedere tallied 50 points in a dominant second half showing, Tilly added a fifth, Lisa Callan crossed twice while Laura Sampson, Jess Keating, Grace Tutty and Jenny Murphy also crossed the whitewash. Jemma Farrell slotted six conversions.
Suttonians (4T) 24-3 Cooke (0T), JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds
Suttonians got back to winning ways for the first time since early December with a bonus point win over Cooke.
Ciara Spencer and Lauren Farrell McCabe crossed for opening half tries, Farrell McCabe also adding two conversions for a 14-0 lead at the break. Sutts also added two tries in the second half, Julia O’Connor and Carrie O’Keeffe crossing. Amanda Morton struck a penalty in that second half for Cooke.
Ballincollig (2T) 10-63 Railway Union (11T), Tanner Park
Railway Union continued to hold second spot from Old Belvedere as they produced a dominant second half performance to get past Ballincollig.
Despite Ellie Cournane and Ciara Fleming crossing for opening half tries, Railway were 22-10 ahead at the interval and would soon rubber stamp the outcome as they held Ballincollig scoreless in the second half.
Railway added 41 points to their tally in the second half, a real display of the attacking threat that Stephen Costello’s charges possessed. Maddy Aberg crossed the whitewash five times in the contest, Molly Boyne, Faith Oviawe, Dani Franada, Katie O’Dwyer, Patricia Doyle and Megan Collis also dotted in the win. Nikki Caughey marked her return to AIL action with four conversions.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.