Railway Union made it an unbeaten finish to their AIL Women’s Cup run, as they recorded back to back cup wins over UL Bohs in Templeville Road this afternoon.

A bruising contest between the teams, where UL had started brighter, but Railway hit back to lead 14-12 at the break, tries from Aoife McDermott and Chisom Ugwueru in the second half brought the cup back to Railway for another year.

Lily Brady had grabbed a brace in the opening half, but McDermott crashed over for her first of two tries in that opening half, with their second coming from Lindsay Peat that made it a mouth watering second half to proceedings.

It was the perfect start from the Robins, Kate Flannery kicked for the corner after Railway conceded a penalty, from the resulting lineout their maul set up for the first time, helping to pin back Railway, they drove for the line and at the back Lily Brady crashed over having fed the move it was her to finish, Flannery who started the whole move off converted for a 7-0 lead.

Just minutes later it was almost a carbon copy from Railway, they had a lineout five metres out, they got a first sniff at goal and tested the Robins defence, held just shy Aoife McDermott picked and went pumping the legs to power over, Christine Coffey converted to tie the contest after seven minutes.

Both sides exchanged possession in those early minutes trying to get ground, carries were key but both were certainly up for this cup decider, as Railway were intent to not let their title slip through their fingers from last season.

The Robins were in again after 16 minutes, again it was their lineout and maul that caused Railway issue at the back, as they thundered for the line Brady again at the back of the move got the grounding to make it 12-7 as Flannery missed the resulting conversion.

Back came the Dubliners and despite a great carry from McDermott, she offloaded well to find Stephanie Carroll running down the right wing, but Bohs Alana McInerney was just as fast to bundle her opposite position into touch.

Pressure remained on the Shannonsiders and after Railway were awarded a penalty close to the line, they tapped and went for the line, held up short, UL had bodies in the way to stop Railway but the veteran Lindsay Peat spotted a gap and raced in for the second try, Coffey added the extras for the first lead for the unbeaten title holders.

UL almost were in for their third try after the half hour mark, another great attack from their lineout saw Aoife Corey breach the Railway defence and cross the try line but superb defence by Union, saw them get bodies under the Robins full-back to hold up the grounding, the last major chance of an entertaining half as Railway took a two point lead to the break.

Into the second half UL lost Fiona Reidy to an early yellow card, while she was off the field Railway who had much more possession in those early minutes made the extra player advantage count as McDermott grabbed her second try of the contest in the 53rd minute, a wonderful drive by the second row to barge through the Bohemian defence.

Minutes later UL were shy of the Railway line but it was turned over, Chisom Ugwueru carried from just outside her try line and took off down the field, dodging and weaving past UL players, a firm hand stretched to push away any tacklers, she raced the length and breath of the St Mary’s venue to score, Dani Franada converted and before the hour mark they had a 16 point lead.

Railway had the lead as UL were now putting everything on the line to work scores with time not on their side, a great chance to cut the deficit came from Flannery kicking crossfield to the far touchline but they were held short, a knock on allowed Union a scrum to help clear their lines.