An Ireland call-up is 100 per cent my goal, says UL Bohemian hero Chisom Ugwueru
UL Bohemian 48 Railway Union 38
Chisom Ugwueru of UL Bohemian is tackled by Ava Ryder of Railway Union. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Chisom Ugwueru spent much of last week visualising how best to make her mark on the first Energia All-Ireland League final to be held at the Aviva Stadium.
Even allowing for her sparkling form for UL Bohemian all season, Ugwueru could hardly have imagined scoring a hat-trick in her side’s first AIL title win since 2018.
Shortly after the on-field celebrations, Ugwueru shared the moment with her family, including her mother Ifeoma and father Festus, who moved to Ireland from Nigeria 25 years ago and later settled in Ennis.
“They were so happy. They are so proud of me,” a delighted Ugwueru said after Bohs edged Railway Union 48-38.
“Obviously, my parents didn’t grow up in the strongest rugby background, but myself and my brothers play. We have grown up with the sport.
“I could see it in their faces, they were screaming. Every time we play a match at this level, you can just see their love for the sport grow more and more. It’s really lovely to see. It means so much to me when I see them loving the sport that I love.”
Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - 29th April
With out-half Kate Flannery, younger sister of former Munster and current Ulster out-half Jake, brilliantly pulling the strings, and full-back Aoife Corey impressing, Ugwueru made something happen every time she got on the ball. Such was the 21-year-old’s sparkling excellence, it surely won’t be long before she earns a first Ireland cap.
“That’s my goal in my rugby career, 100pc,” Ugwueru acknowledged. “I’m going to push on and see what I can do. I can never fault myself if I try my best.”
UL Bohemian: A Corey; C Ugwueru, S Nunan (R Allen 67), A McInerney (É Nic Dhonnacha 9), A O’Shaughnessy; K Flannery, M Wall (A Salter-Townsend 78); C O’Dwyer (C McLoughlin 78), B Buttimer, F Reidy (N Sweeney 78); C O’Halloran, C Bennett (E McCormack 78); J Clohessy (L Brady 59), B Heylmann (S Garrett 64); C Pearse.
Railway Union: A Clarke (L Tarpey 57); M Aberg, N Byrne (capt), K Waldron (C Keohane 66), A Ryder; N Caughey (D Franada 70), A Hughes; G O’Loughlin (S Barrett 48), M Keegan (E Gavin 48), M Collis; K Brady (P Doyle 48), F Oviawe; K O’Dwyer; M Boyne, L Peat.
Ref: S Douglas (IRFU)
