With one round now left in the Energia All Ireland League Women’s Division season, the top four race has been completed, with both semi-final clashes seeing warm up meetings in Round 18. Railway Union will face Old Belvedere in the semi-finals, as Wicklow suffered defeat last night in their rescheduled tie. In the other semi-final UL Bohemian face Blackrock College. Those games will take place Saturday April 12th.
Railway Union 17-10 UL Bohemian, Willow Lodge
For the second time this season Railway Union have gotten revenge from the final defeat last season, as they came out on top in a narrow result over UL Bohemian.
Railway had the ideal start grabbing the opening score from Molly Boyne, and Caoimhe McCormack converted for a 7-0 lead. A second try soon followed from Alaïs Diebold, this one however went unconverted. Just before the break Bohs did grab a score, Eilis Cahill touching down to make it 12-5 at the break.
Momentum swung back the way of Railway in the second half, with Rhiann Heery crossing for their third try to grow the lead. Cahill would grab a second try for the Robins, but it did not spark a late comeback.
Blackrock College 19-14 Old Belvedere, Stradbrook
A second half comeback saw Blackrock record victory over Old Belvedere, confirming third spot in the process. Belvo still have a wait to see if they will finish fourth, as anything could happen should Wicklow get a bonus point win over Blackrock.
Belvo held a 14-7 lead at the break, Emma Tilly and Emma Kelly crossing for tries, with Jemma Farrell converting both. Lynn Koelman grabbed the try for Blackrock that Lisa Mullen converted to keep the hosts in the tie.
A second half brace of Andrea Murphy tries was the winning of the game for Rock, with Mullen converting one from two to keep the scoreboard ticking over in their favour.
Galwegians 21-36 Wicklow, Crowley Park
A stunning second half comeback saw Wicklow take the spoils in an end to end contest in Crowley Park.
Wegians had the perfect start to the tie, Gemma Faulkner and Ellen Connolly crossing inside the opening ten minutes, with Sinead O’Brien converting both. Five minutes later they were over again as Kila Curran crossed, with O’Brien converting for a 21-0 lead. Wicklow did end the half in strong fashion, Roisin Short and Sarah Gleeson crossing for tries, with Beth Roberts adding one conversion.
The visitors took control of the contest in the second half. Stone and Gleeson both added a second try, while Emily McKeown also went over for a score. Roberts converted all three tries and slotted a penalty.
Suttonians 18-12 Ballincollig, JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds
Suttonians held off a spirited second half comeback from Ballincollig to score another win this season. Seventh spot is still a possibility for Sutts to finish this season if they can win their last game.
A strong opening half performance saw Lauren Farrell McCabe cross at the beginning and end of the half for tries, with Caoimhe Hoy also crossing prior to the half hour mark. Sutts went into the break with a healthy 15-0 lead.
A pair of tries from Aoibheann McGrath tries, helped bring Ballincollig right back into the tie in the second half, with Emma Connolly landing one conversion. While it helped reduce the deficit they could not turn the tide, Laura Claridge’s penalty had a margin too great for Collig to reduce.
Tullow 5-64 Cooke, Rathoe Road
Cooke picked up their fourth win of the season with a clinical display away to Tullow. Niamh Marley, Tara O’Neill and Ilse Van Staden all crossed for two tries each, with Amanda Morton’s display from the kicking tee helping add further points to the scoreboard.
The visitors would lead 38-5 at the break, and kicked on in the second half to grab a further four tries. Paige Smyth, Stacey Sloan, and a first try for Isobel Harris, also added to their tally in this contest. Aoife McGrath grabbed the sole try for the home side.
Blackrock 41-29 Wicklow, Blackrock College School Pitch
Wicklow’s brave charge for top four came to an end on Thursday night, as Blackrock delivered a clinical performance, inspired by a hat trick of tries from Lynn Koelman.
The game got off to a flying start as Ciara Short gave Wicklow an early lead, only for Koelman to hit back immediately for Blackrock. Beth Roberts slotted a penalty to regain the lead for Wicklow, however Koelman added her second try in the 22nd minute, converted by Ella Durkan, before Durkan herself crossed for a try in the 34th minute.
Wicklow responded through Roisin Stone, with Roberts adding the conversion. At halftime, Blackrock held a slender 17-15 advantage.
Blackrock took control after the break, as Koelman completed her hat-trick two minutes after the restart before Andrea Murphy crossed in the corner prior to the hour mark. Casey Jackson’s try under the posts pushed the lead further, with Durkan converting and a penalty try followed to further their lead.
Wicklow fought back, with Eimear Douglas and Erin McConnell crossing, both converted by Roberts, but Blackrock had done enough to seal the win. And will have plenty of confidence going into their clash with UL Bohemian in the last round.
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.