Ugwueru hat-trick and in-form Flannery lead UL Bohs to AIL Women’s final victory over Railway Union

For the first time in six years, the trophy is on its way back to Limerick as Bohs edged a rip-roaring contest with Railway Union, who were beaten at the final hurdle for the second year running.

Both teams deserve huge credit for playing such a positive brand of rugby, with the skill-level on show adding to a huge weekend for women’s rugby after Ireland beat Scotland yesterday to secure their World Cup place.

Ultimately though, Bohs were deserving winners, as Fiona Hayes’ side scored seven tries to Railway’s six in what was an excellent advertisement for the women’s AIL.

In Chisom Ugwueru, Bohs had the undoubted star of the show, as the electric winger brought her strong form this season into the final by scoring a stunning hat-trick. The Ennis native created havoc every time she got the ball. It surely won’t be long before she is in the mix for Ireland.

Bohs out-half Kate Flannery, younger sister of former Munster and current Ulster out-half Jake, was excellent – with her stunning array of passing and clever kicking game being a key component of her side’s win.

Lindsay Peat rolled back the years by delivering an outstanding performance for Railway to remind everyone that there is plenty of life left in the old warrior yet at 43.

Having played loosehead during her Ireland career, Peat’s destructive ball-carrying from No 8 repeatedly got Railway over the gain-line, but in the end, her two tries weren't enough.

Bohs flew out of the traps, Aoife O’Shaughnessy scoring in the corner following a great break up the right touchline by Ugwueru. Flannery’s conversion pushed the Limerick side into an early lead, but Bohs were soon pegged back by Railway, who capitalised on a lost lineout. Nikki Caughey got her side over the gain-line with a strong carry, which set the platform for Peat to show all of her class by scampering under the posts. Caughey drop-kicked the conversion over to bring the sides level, and there was no let up in the topsy-turvy nature of an enthralling contest.

Ugwueru went from creator to scorer after 16 minutes, as she made the most of a powerful carry from back-row Jane Clohessy, daughter of former Munster and Ireland prop Peter. Flannery’s wonderful range of passing was again on show as she put Ugwueru over the corner.

Railway though, again hit back, with Peat again at the heart of the score that was finished by centre Kayla Waldron, whose superb footwork saw her run clear under the sticks. Caughey again converted to put the Sandymount side back in front (14-12).

Éabha Nic Dhonnacha had come on as an early replacement for the injured Alana McInerney and she announced her arrival in style by applying the finishing touch to another searing Ugwueru break and nice pass from Flannery.

Despite leading 17-14 five minutes before the break, Bohs lost influential second-row Claire Bennett to a yellow card, and Railway immediately made their numerical advantage count. This time it was all about the quick feet of winger Maddy Aberg, who danced her way over for a third converted try.

But there was still time for 14-player Bohs to hit back with a fourth try, as their excellent full-back Aoife Corey profited from a mistake in the back-field after a clever cross-field kick from Flannery, as Hayes’ side went into the break 22-21 in front.

Not content with soaking up the pressure and seeing out the remainder of Bennett’s sin bin period, Bohs stepped up it after the restar, as Ugwueru crossed for her second try of the game for what proved to be a short-lived six-point advantage.

Railway went straight up the other end of the pitch and scored their fourth try through captain Niamh Byrne, as the pressure eventually told on the Bohs defence. Caughey couldn’t convert on this occasion, but her side were back to within a point.

A rare respite in terms of the relentless scoring rate was ended just after the hour mark, as the Bohs pack got on top and mauled Railway back over their own line. Brianna Heylmann dotted down and as Flannery added the extras, and Bohs went 34-26 in front.

But in keeping with the theme of the end-to-end game, Railway quickly hit back, Peat powering over for her second try that Caughey again converted to bring it back to a one-score game (34-33).

A superb last-ditch tackle from Corey stopped a certain Railway try before a lengthy injury stoppage for the unfortunate Waldron allowed everyone to catch their breath with 14 minutes remaining.

Bohs’ defence had to withstand a barrage of pressure, with Railway guilty of passing up several gilt-edge try-scoring opportunities. That spurred Bohs on, as Flannery again created a well-worked try, as Ugwueru showed a clean pair of heels to score her hat-trick.

Corey capped a fine individual display with her second try late on, with Flannery bisecting the posts from the conversion to put the result beyond doubt. Ailsa Hughes got over for a late consolation for Railway, but this was a day that belonged to Bohs, who ended their long six-year wait for the AIL trophy. 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)