UL Bohs Still On Course For Double

UL Bohemians are still on course for a remarkable All-Ireland League and Cup double but Highfield forced the Limerick team to wring every last ounce of effort out of themselves to stagger over the line in an enthralling Munster Senior Cup final that was in the balance right to the end.

Scrum half Ellen McDermott got the visitors off to the perfect start with a try early in the match, but Highfield hit back with a penalty from Ellen Murphy on 20 minutes. The 5-3 scoreline never changed before half-time, an absorbing contest catching both teams in its grasp.

Highfield went ahead two minutes after the interval, Murphy's second penalty nosing the Cork outfit in front. The pendulum swung first one way and then the other as the second half wore on but neither side were able to make that vital breakthrough, Highfield not allowing the league leaders to play to their strengths.

A penalty on 70 minutes, scored by Kerry goalkeeper Edel Murphy, edged UL Bohs in front against at 8-6 and the outcome hinged on a flying break by winger Syphonia Pua who raced 50 metres down the pitch to cross the line for the decisive try. Murphy added the conversion for a 15-6 victory.

“Highfield played the better rugby,” admitted UL Bohs' John Keane. “They had much more of the constructive play and on balance, we are lucky to be in the semi-finals.”

Their focus switches to maintaining an unbeaten league run next Sunday in a momentous day for Women's rugby in the province. The UL Bohs senior team take on western rivals Galwegians in the All-Ireland League while the junior team face fierce rivals Shannon in the Junior Cup, and the club has applied to play both matches at Thomond Park.

Highfield's late charge for a play-off place in the All-Ireland League will see them travel all the way to Belfast for a crucial game against Cooke on Sunday.