UL Bohs Secure Spot In AIL Women’s Semis

UL Bohemians face a daunting trip to Old Belvedere in the semi-finals of the women’s All-Ireland League after hanging onto fourth-place in the table with an away win over Railway Union yesterday.

UL Bohs are the only Munster side to claim a place in the top four while basement side Tralee face a relegation play-off against St. Mary’s next week at Templeville Road.

The Kerry side’s position at the bottom of the table was confirmed as they were beaten 15-0 by second-bottom St. Mary’s in Castleisland.

UL Bohemians secured fourth spot with a thrilling 23-20 win over a talented Railway Union side in Sandymount.

Railway who started brightly, opening the scoring with full-back Claire Ryan dotting down. This was closely followed by a try from her back-line colleague and current Ireland Sevens squad member Stacey Flood, who was playing at outside centre.

At the half hour mark, UL Bohs showed their pedigree when Munster winger Ashling Hutchings scored a try with Molly O'Donnell slotting over the conversion in the absence of Niamh Briggs.

Railway increased their lead with a Ryan penalty but Bohs' inside centre Mairead Kelly scored a try on the stroke of half-time with O'Donnell's conversion giving the visitors a 14-10 interval lead.

UL kept the scoreboard ticking over in the second half courtesy of two O'Donnell penalties. In the final quarter Railway prop Sue Hughes narrowed the gap with their third try with Ryan's conversion putting Railway within three points.

That was as close as they would come, however, as UL Bohs hung onto the win and a place in next week's semi-finals.

It was a day to forget for Highfield in Woodleigh Park as they ended their league campaign with a 45-0 drubbing at the hands of table toppers Old Belvedere.

In Division 2 South, Shannon secured a 7-0 win over New Ross in Southknock to finish the season in top spot with five wins and a draw from their six fixtures.

St. Senan’s ended their first season in Division 2 South on a high with a 52-0 win over bottom-side Dungarvan/Youghal to secure second place.

The tries came from Una McNamara, Claire O’Brien, Claire Hestor, Leanne McInerney, Kiara Hannon, Gill Grimes and Leslie Cosgrave with Rachael O’Brien adding the conversions.

Fermoy Lionesses won 22-8 away in Ballincollig but drop a place to third having been overtaken by Senan's on points difference. The Fermoy tries came from flanker Aishling Watters, Catherine Sheedy (two) and Marian Twomey.

It was a disappointing end to the season for Ballincollig who end up in fourth spot despite winning their first two games.


Women's All-Ireland League Division 1:

Semi-Final Fixtures –

Old Belvedere (1st) v UL Bohemians (4th), Anglesea Road
Blackrock (2nd) v Galwegians (3rd), Stradbrook

Relegation Play-Off –

St. Mary’s (7th) v Tralee (8th), Templeville Road

Sunday, November 30

Division 1 Results
Galwegians 32 – 10 Blackrock, Crowley Park

Highfield 0 – 45 Old Belvedere, Woodleigh Park

Railway Union RFC 20 – 24 UL Bohemian, Park Avenue

Tralee 0 – 15 St. Mary's, O'Dowd Park

Division 2 South Results
Fermoy 22 – 8 Ballincollig, The Showgrounds

New Ross 0 – 7 Shannon, Southknock

St. Senan's 52 – 0, Dungarvan/Youghal, Tullyvarraga