The final round of action in the AIL Women’s Division had plenty of drama while UL Bohemian and Railway Union ended the normal season with wins as they meet on April 28th in the decider. Galwegians and Wicklow also recorded final day wins.
UL Bohemian (3T) 19-10 Old Belvedere (2T), Annacotty
UL Bohemian returned to winning ways ahead of their trip to the Aviva Stadium with a win over Old Belvedere on Saturday afternoon.
Fiona Hayes’ side suffered their first defeat of the season a week prior and laid down the foundation with a strong opening half performance. Chisom Ugwueru, Beth Buttimer, and Clodagh O’Halloran all crossed for tries, with Kate Flannery striking two difficult conversions between the uprights. Megan Edwards crossed for a try for the visitors as they trailed 19-5 at the break.
Edwards grabbed the only score of the second half, another unconverted try. The Red Robins defending well for their last game at home this season Fiona Reidy playing a final game in Annacotty after a near two decade career as a Robin.
Blackrock College (2T) 12-17 Railway Union (3T) , Stradbrook
Railway Union who also are Aviva bound had a testing afternoon in Stradbrook as Blackrock fought till the very end but could not find the crucial score to change the outcome.
Cagey in the opening half with Stephen Costello’s side ahead 5-0 at the break as Ava Ryder crossed for an unconverted try to put the visitors ahead 5-0.
The second was a lot more free scoring, both teams recording two tries each. Mya Alcorn and Manuela McCarthy with tries for Blackrock as Lisa Mullen slotted a conversion. For Railway, Keelin Brady and Emily Gavin crossed the whitewash, with Dani Franada landing a conversion in that second half having come off the bench.
Cooke (2T) 12-19 Galwegians (3T), Shaw’s Bridge
Galwegians ended the year on a high point as they recorded a win away to Cooke on the final day.
It was a closely fought opening half, while Gemma McCamley and Katie Gilmour went over for tries for the hosts, along with Amanda Morton adding a conversion, they would trail 14-12 at the break. Evanna Finn and Grace Browne Moran crossed for Wegians with Emma Keane slotting both conversion attempts.
Keane had Wegians ahead at the break with the accurate boot but Orla Dixon ensured the win crossing for their third try in the second half to take the spoils.
Wicklow (4T) 20-10 Suttonians (2T), Ashtown Lane
Wicklow recorded a strong win over Suttonians to end the year on a winning note, crossing for two tries in each half for a bonus point win.
Lauren Barry gave Wicklow the lead with the opening score an unconverted try after 20 minutes. Brenda Barr hit back to level five minutes later but Caoimhe Molloy crossed for the hosts second unconverted try to put them ahead 10-5.
Both sides were held up short at the end of the opening half to add a further score. Leomie Kloppers did add a second try for Sutts but Saoirse O’Reilly and Robyn McCarthy ensured the win for Wicklow with second half tries.
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.