In a thrilling climax last April, UL Bohemians triumphed in the Energia All-Ireland League final against Railway Union at Aviva Stadium, a high-octane encounter featuring 13 tries. The event appropriately validated the Irish Rugby Football Union’s pioneering decision to host the women’s final at the celebrated sporting venue. Guided ably by newly appointed head coach Fiona Hayes, the Limerick-based club secured its 14th championship with a 48-38 victory against Railway, thereby achieving a season double after a previous 34-12 win in the All-Ireland Cup final.
Despite the defeat, Railway, trailing UL Bohs by a mere point in the 16-match regular-season standings, are even more resolute in their pursuit of the title. Railway had recompensed a 10-7 loss to UL Bohs at Annacotty in November with a decisive 43-22 triumph at Park Avenue just two weeks preceding the climax. Niamh Byrne, the Railway captain who also scored a try during the final, lamented the loss but acknowledged the wider impact of the exciting match.
Byrne, while professing disappointment at Railway’s performance, celebrated the showcase’s positive media representation and the pleasure of participating. Railway’s planned comeback includes changes to their coaching staff, with Mike South ascending to head coach, and Irish International players Ailsa Hughes and Lindsay Peat entrusted with critical player/coach positions. Byrne, expressing faith in the club’s fungible coaching structure, envisions a smooth transition.
The upcoming season starts on Saturday with many eyes on Railway as they face Old Belvedere at home, one of the very few teams to vanquish them the previous season. UL Bohs will initiate their title defense away against Blackrock. The second highest achievers in the tournament’s history, Blackrock, had seized their sixth championship two years back by defeating Railway in the final. Subsequent to these season openers, a captivating rematch from last year awaits between UL Bohs and Railway, again in March on the UL 4G pitch.
According to Byrne, last season’s final match-up invoked a strong yet healthy competition. The first match we watch out for on the schedule is always a highly competitive one, but off the field, we all maintain great friendships, remarks Byrne. Under-18 interpros have improved, allowing for greater variations in team roster, as seen with Galwegians, who face off against Ballincollig at Crowley Park on Saturday. This team welcomes the invigorating amendment of younger players who have boosted Connacht’s competitiveness in the senior interpros.
Byrne further adds, “The competition intensifies with each passing year, now we’ll witness who strikes first. Railway, a relatively fresh force in women’s club rugby, were champions in 2019 and 2022, wrapping around the pandemic but lost the most recent two finals. Of course, our primary objective would be to secure a spot in the Aviva final and aim to reign victorious. But we also have several new members this season and hopefully, this could set the base for the years ahead.”
The Ireland women’s team has seen an increase in fortunes, who are set to play their first WXV1 game against reigning world champions, New Zealand, in Vancouver on Sunday (3am Monday Irish time). Byrne remarked, “Every year, women’s rugby in Ireland is gaining more attention, with increased backing from fans, the IRFU, and sponsors. I believe the women’s rugby scene in Ireland is on an upward trajectory.”
The upcoming Women’s Division One matches will all take place on Saturday at 5pm, featuring Blackrock College v UL Bohemian at Stradbrook; Galwegians v Ballincollig at Crowley Park; Railway Union v Old Belvedere at Willow Lodge; Suttonians v Cooke at JJ McDowell Memorial Ground; and Tullow v Wicklow at The Black Gates.