Wicklow are the 2022 AIL Conference champions as Naoise O'Reilly's try on the hour mark, helped them to a 22-17 win over Galwegians this evening.

An exciting game from the first to final whistle, Wicklow taking an early lead before Wegians hit back and punished them for ill discipline, but it was the hosts the had the final say on the day.

Wicklow took first blood just before the second minute, Meagan Parkinson gathering the ball well out wide before evading the tackle to touch down in the corner, the conversion missed the target but it was a positive start for the hosts as they led by 5-0.

The visitors looked to respond well and camped close to the line, but it was Parkinson who would notch a second try after 10 minutes, a great intercept saw the winger breakaway from her own half with an 80 metre dash to cross the whitewash and double the hosts advantage with the second Beth Roberts conversion again just wide.

It was all Wicklow in the opening 15 minutes, they were rewarded with a third try after a clever lineout move, with Sarah Gleeson powering her way over the line to put a sizeable gap between the sides, Roberts conversion giving them a 17-0 cushion after 16 minutes of play.

Ill discipline was starting to creep into the Wicklow outfit, with Rachel Griffey and Naoise O’Reilly both going to the bin, Wegians unable to hit straight back however to reduce the arrears.

By the end of the half the game would be turned on its had, two converted tries for the visitors scored by Elizabeth McNicholas and Grace Browne Moran, putting Wicklow under severe pressure with a third card shown this time Caoimhe Molloy went to the bin, Wegians feeling confident going into the break down 17-14, knowing they had certainly caused Wicklow worry at the end of the half.

Galwegians were right back into the game four minutes into the second half, Nicole Fowley again a huge influence for the Galway side, her penalty able to close the gap with the visitors adding 17 points with the reply after Wicklow did the same to start the half.

Wicklow had their first attempt at points in quite a long while as Roberts looked to convert a penalty after 54 minutes, it just went wide despite getting the ideal contact on the strike, a let off for the visitors that the ever reliable Roberts just could not find the target.

When Wicklow needed someone to step up and help them get back on the board, step up Naoise O’Reilly, her dancing feet saw her evade the Wegians tackles to power over the line for a 22-17 lead, a huge boost of confidence for the hosts despite the missed conversion putting them narrowly ahead.

It was a frantic end to the game but Wicklow did enough to hold out for a famous win just their second season as a Women's AIL club and an amazing achievement to be crowned champions.