A DRAMATIC stoppage-time try by Eilís Cahill saw defending champions UL Bohemian snatch victory against table-toppers Railway Union in the Women’s All-Ireland League Final at the Aviva Stadium.
Constant pressure by the Dublin side had them take a 5-0 lead with a try mid-way through the first half, but winger Laoise McGonagle outpaced the Union defence to touch down, and Kate Flannery’s conversion had UL 7-5 ahead after 25 minutes.
A second try for Union was cancelled out by one from Chisom Ugwueru to give the Limerick side a 12-10 interval lead.
Only four minutes into the second half, Chloe Pearse scored Bohs’ third try, but two converted tries entering the final quarter saw Railway Union lead 24-17.
The never say die attitude by Bohs saw Gráinne Burke close the gap to two points with a try and with the last play of the game Cahill came to Bohs rescue with a five-pointer which Flannery converted.
Elsehwhere, Thomond made a good start to their encounter away to Omagh Academicals in the Division 2C Promotion/Relegation Final as they led 13-3 at the interval with tries from Jamie McGarry and Kian McGrath, plus a penalty from Jason Kiely.
The third quarter was a testing time for the Limerick side as Omagh rallied with tries either side of a penalty from Kiely, to trail 16-15.
But a try by Jake Connolly converted by Kiely gave Thomond an eight-point cushion, which they held on to the finish, and there was great emotion from the visiting fans when the referee sounded the final whistle as Thomond were back in Senior rugby after a six-year gap.
