UL-Bohs prepare for seventh title in a row

UL-Bohs are aiming for an unprecedented seventh women's first division title in a row this weekend as they face Blackrock at Nenagh RFC.

The Dublin side can be confident about their chances having beaten the Limerick champions earlier this season.

Time was that Bohs provided all of the attacking flair that other teams couldn’t match and though they were regularly rattled up front they always had enough back-line talent to stave off any challenges.

The reverse could have been said of Blackrock, a team who always carried massive dominance up front, but with not quite enough behind the front eight to make it count when they played the likes of Bohs in league finals.

Those weaknesses in both sides have been gradually redressed over the past few seasons and the contests between the two best teams have been far more evenly matched.

It means that it’s impossible to call this weekend’s final.

The captains of both sides are Ireland’s two leading scrum-halves and their battle in the number nine jerseys will be just one of many clashes that determine who comes out on top.

Blackrock’s leading backs, such as Shannon Houston and Grace Davitt, will have to be at their best defensively to curtail threats from the outstanding backline they will face.

They’ll be facing quality names such as Sarahjane Belton, Lynne Cantwell, Patrique Kelly and Jeannette Feighery.

The Dublin side have one of Ireland’s star forwards this season in their team, with lock Geri Healy coming into the game on the back of an impressive Six Nations season, and her talents along with the likes of Orla Brennan and Yvonne Nolan will be hugely important in deciding the outcome.

UL-Bohs captain Louise Beamish said that her side aren’t under any illusions before the big game.

“Because Blackrock have beaten us earlier this season we know how difficult this final will be. In saying that, this year is the best prepared we have been in the lasts seven seasons and we hope this preparation will mean we can be successful this weekend.”

Blackrock skipper Tanie Rosser said her side had been preparing in earnest for the final.

“We're looking forward to the match against UL this week-end and have been working towards this final and hopefully it'll be our year. New comers to the club like Julie Doyle and Linda O'Hara have shone throughout the season and we have a few girls in the team with a lot to prove so hopefully everything will come together.”

UL-Bohs squad: Fiona Coghlan, Gillian Bourke, Nicola Larkin, Edel Coen, Laura Guest, Kate Hennessey, Kate Sheehan, Fiona Reidy, Caroline Mahon, Patrica Fitzpatrick, Joy Neville, Maryam Tahhan, Louise Beamish (Captain), Susan Carty, Nicole Fitzgerald, Tina Fitzerald. Sarah-Jane Cody, Patrique Kelly, Carol Murphy, Lynne Cantwell, Dawn Oliver Smith, Sarah Jane Belton.Jeannette Feighrey, Mairead Kelly

Blackrock Squad: Tania Rosser, Louise Austin, Orla Brennan, Debbie Clarke, Liz Comerford, Shirley Corcoran, Orla Creedon, Grace Davitt, Julie Doyle, Maire Gilbourne, Germaine Healy, Shannon Houston, Emer McMenamly, Aine Ni Chathain, Yvonne Nolan, Linda O'Hara, Zofia Pehrson, Lillie Quirke, Kate Rosengrave, Orlaith Ryan, Sinead Ryan, Christine Spindler