UL Bohs find the late, late blow to land another AIL crown
US AGAIN: The UL Bohemian RFC team celebrate with the cup after the Energia Women's All-Ireland League Division 1 final match between Blackrock College RFC and UL Bohemians RFC at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
History tends to repeat itself with UL Bohemian, but rarely with such drama. For the second-successive season at the Aviva Stadium, the Limerick side were forced deep into stoppage time in search of a decisive score. And just like 12 months ago, they found it.
This time, it was Caitríona Finn who delivered, diving over in the dying seconds to seal a stunning 32-29 victory over Blackrock College and secure a remarkable three-in-a-row of Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division titles.
Blackrock, appearing in their first final at this venue, made a confident start. Inside three minutes, they forced a turnover deep in Bohs territory and quickly applied pressure. Although an early lineout opportunity went astray, their intent was clear.
That early dominance translated into points on six minutes when Ella Durkan calmly slotted a penalty from a central position for a 3-0 lead.
UL Bohemian responded with ambition. A clever kick from Kate Flannery nearly released Éabha Nic Dhonnacha, but Blackrock scrambled well. Bohs continued to lean on their maul, though Rock repeatedly disrupted their set-piece in a fiercely contested opening quarter.
The breakthrough came on 17 minutes. After sustained pressure, Ciara O'Dwyer powered over for the game’s first try. The conversion was missed, but Bohs edged ahead 5-3.
Blackrock’s response was immediate. Kicking to the corner after winning a penalty, their driving maul, a key strength all season, delivered as Samantha Brackett crossed for her 11th try of the campaign, restoring the lead at 8-5.
Despite being reduced to 14 players following a yellow card to Clodagh O’Halloran, Bohs showed resilience. Flannery levelled the game at 8-8 with a penalty after 30 minutes.
Blackrock finished the half strongly. Durkan added another penalty before a slick team move saw Méabh Deely finish in the corner after impressive work from Ava Fannin and Maeve Óg O’Leary. Though the conversion was missed, Blackrock led 16-8 at the break, the first time Bohs had trailed at half-time in a final during their recent dominance.
The champions responded emphatically after the restart. With O’Leary sin-binned, Bohs seized control. Their maul laid the platform before O’Dwyer crossed for her second try, with Flannery converting to cut the gap to 16-15.
Blackrock refused to yield. Durkan extended the lead to 19-15 with another penalty, while powerful carries from Cliodhna Ní Chonchobhair and Maggie Boylan kept Bohs under pressure. Crucially, however, the Limerick defence held firm.
A pivotal moment arrived on the hour mark. Following a TMO review, Bohs were reduced to 14 again as Ciara McLoughlin saw yellow. Blackrock capitalised, with Abby Moyles sending a pinpoint cross-field kick for Andrea Murphy to finish, stretching the lead to 24-15.
But Bohs responded in blistering fashion. Nic Dhonnacha crossed in the corner for her 17th try of the season before, moments later, Alana McInerney sliced through the defence to score under the posts. Flannery converted, pushing Bohs back in front at 27-24, remarkably while still down a player.
The drama continued late on. Blackrock struck again in the 78th minute as Jillian O’Toole finished after sustained pressure, reclaiming the lead at 29-27.
With time running out, Bohs’ three-in-a-row hopes were slipping away. But deep into stoppage time, a crucial turnover gave them one final chance.
They attacked relentlessly, phase after phase, inching closer. Then came the decisive moment. Finn spotted the gap, surged through, and powered over to score the winning try.
Once again, UL Bohemian found a way, sealing a 32-29 victory and confirming their place as champions for the third year in succession, and 16th time overall.
Tries: Ciara O'Dwyer 2, Eabha Nic Dhonnacha, Alana McInerney, Catriona Finn; Cons: Kate Flannery 2; Pen: Kate Flannery
Tries: Samantha Brackett, Meabh Deely, Andrea Murphy, Jillian O'Toole; Pens: Ella Durkan 3 Teams:
Aoife Corey; Clara Barrett, Eabha Nic Dhonnacha, Stephanie Nunan, Alana McInerney; Kate Flannery, Abbie Salter-Townshend; Ciara O’Dwyer, Lily Brady, Ciara McLoughlin; Clodagh O’Halloran, Claire Bennett; Caoimhe Murphy, Ava O’Malley, Chloe Pearse (capt).
Saoirse Crowe, Niamh Corless, Mary Maher, Anais Jubin, Chisom Ugwueru, Abaigael Connon, Caitriona Finn, Holly O’Dwyer
Meabh Deely; Andrea Murphy, Ella Durkan, Catherine Martin, Maggie Boylan; Abby Moyles, Lauren Farrell McCabe; Aoife Moore, Samantha Brackett, Christy Haney; Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair, Kate Jordan; Nikki Gibson, Carrie O’Keeffe, Maeve Og O’Leary (capt).
Ann-Marie Rooney, Megan Brodie, Ava Fannin, Eimear Corri Fallon, Lisa Mullen, Sarah Moody, Cara Martin, Jullian O’Toole
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
