Indomitable UL-Bohemian retain All-Ireland League Women’s Division title in thrilling fashion

EILÍS Cahill’s dramatic 82nd-minute try proved decisive as UL Bohemian stunned Railway Union to make it back-to-back Energia All-Ireland League Women's Division titles for the first time since 2018 at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Twelve months on from their 2024 decider, UL Bohs prevailed again on a 29-24 scoreline despite being down the services of Aoife Corey and Jane Clohessy, who were Ireland debutants against Scotland in the Women's Six Nations on Saturday.

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AIL women's division regular season table toppers Railway Union led the thrilling final on three occasions. Caoimhe McCormack converted replacement Katie O’Dwyer’s 63rd-minute try for a 24-17 advantage.

However, Fiona Hayes’ UL side displayed their mettle with replacement Gráinne Burke burrowing over before Cahill did likewise to take the Annacotty club’s record haul of league crowns to 15.

Champions! ♥️ pic.twitter.com/QMpkdQ2G6Y

— UL BOHEMIAN RFC (@ulbohemianrfc) April 27, 2025

UL-Bohs led the decider 12-10 at half-time, with Laoise McGonagle and Chisom Ugwueru replying with scores for the Red, Red Robins, as Laura Sheehan and Lindsay Peat dotted down for Railway.

Railway had the upperhand when a levelling penalty try was cancelled out by a Chloe Pearse score. O’Dwyer’s effort on the hour mark was not enough though, as a never-say-die UL-Bohemians came out on top.

Energia All-Ireland League Women's Division Final:

RAILWAY UNION 24 UL BOHEMIAN 29, Aviva Stadium

Scorers: UL Bohemian: Tries: Laoise McGonagle, Chisom Ugwueru, Chloe Pearse, Gráinne Burke, Eilís Cahill; Cons: Kate Flannery 2. Railway Union: Tries: Laura Sheehan, Lindsay Peat, Penalty try, Katie O’Dwyer; Cons: Pen try con, Caoimhe McCormack

UL-BOHEMIAN: Abby Moyles; Laoise McGonagle, Éabha Nic Dhonnacha, Stephanie Nunan, Chisom Ugwueru; Kate Flannery, Abbie Salter Townshend; Ciara McLoughlin, Lily Brady, Eilís Cahill, Claire Bennett, Sarah Garrett, Rachel Allen, Aoibhe O’Flynn, Chloe Pearse (capt). Replacements: Gráinne Burke, Ciara O’Dwyer, Aoibheann Hahessy, Niamh Brodie, Muirne Wall, Caitríona Finn, Clara Barrett, Maddy Kushner.

RAILWAY UNION: Caoimhe McCormack; Laura Sheehan, Niamh Byrne (capt), Leah Tarpey, Rhiann Heery; Hannah Scanlan, Ailsa Hughes; Kirstie Stevenson, Méabh Keegan, Megan Collis, Poppy Garvey, Aoife McDermott, Mira Broeks, Molly Boyne, Lindsay Peat. Replacements: Katie O’Dwyer, Tricia Doyle, Siobhán McCarthy, Keelin Brady, Faith Oviawe, Mary Healy, Claire Keohane, Aimee Clarke.

REFEREE: Jonny Erskine (IRFU)