Railway’s final experience to tell against UL Bohs
Railway Union's Molly Scuffil McCabe, left, celebrates with team-mate Lindsay Peat after scoring a try during the Energia AIL final against Blackrock College at Energia Park in December 2022. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Rarely, if ever, has a women’s Energia All-Ireland League final been as tough to call as tomorrow’s showdown between the top two teams in the country.
That just a single point separated UL Bohs and Railway Union at the end of the regular season tells you everything you need to know about how evenly matched these sides are.
Bohs pipped Railway to top spot, which would ordinarily give the Limerick club a slight mental edge, however a recent heavy defeat to tomorrow’s opponents may create an element of doubt.
At long last, the women’s AIL final is given the billing it deserves at the Aviva Stadium, and that it is part of a double-header with the men’s decider has heightened the sense of expectation.
The one major shame is that Ireland are playing their final Six Nations game against Scotland today, which has somewhat hampered preparations.
The hope, going forward, is that better scheduling can ensure all of the best players are available for Irish club rugby’s showpiece.
That said, there will still be plenty of exciting talent on show, as Railway look to make up for last year’s defeat in what is their fourth consecutive final, while Bohs are back in the big time for the first time since 2019.
Two clubs who have been at the forefront of everything positive about women’s rugby in this country are relishing the chance to play at the Aviva, even if that does bring about its own pressures in terms of delivering on such a big stage.
Both teams like to play attacking rugby, with Railway picking up 13 try bonus points this season – Bohs are just behind them on 12. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see which side adapts better to the huge pitch at Lansdowne Road.
Between the likes of Lindsay Peat, who has switched from the front-row to the back-row, captain Niamh Byrne in the centre and returning full-back Claire Keohane, Railway possess plenty of firepower that can slice open the defence in the blink of an eye.
Bohs will look to their vastly experienced prop Fiona Reidy to set the tone up front, especially at the set-piece, with flying winger Chisom Ugwueru a major threat out wide.
It promises to be a titanic tussle, with Railway hoping their recent experience of finals can get them over the line.
Verdict: Railway Union
UL Bohs v Railway Union,
Live, TG4, tomorrow, 1.45
