The Energia AIL final between UL Bohemians and Railway Union didn’t disappoint today in the Aviva Stadium, with the Munster outfit coming out on top in the nail-biting, end to end decider.
Explosive from the word go, there were massive yards made, impressive tackles put in, and above anything else, big trys scored!
Here’s five key takeaways from the Energia AIL final between UL Bohemians and Railway Union.
🔴 UL BOHEMIANS 48
🟢 RAILWAY UNION 38
👏 @energiaenergy AIL FINAL -📌 Aviva stadium
UL Bohs are your Energia AIL CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/pToxiwBROw— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) April 28, 2024
1.Lindsay Peat is still a tank
At the age of 43, Lindsay Peat was for sure one of the standout players in today’s clash, making massive strides for her side Railway, and (both literally and figuratively) dragging them on when they needed it most.
Powerful offloads, an attacking threat and a defensive dynamo, she really did have it all.
The former Ireland player even scored a brace of trys for her efforts, proving that no matter what, her class is permanent.
The power [and offload] from Nikki Caughey and Lindsay Peat for Railway Union! pic.twitter.com/RqXrYygU1K
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) April 28, 2024
2.Ugwueru and Flannery are the real deal
Although we weren’t sure whether we would see the Ireland players at all on this Energia AIL finals day given the Six Nations only concluded yesterday, their addition was certainly felt come crunch time in the Aviva Stadium.
Especially for UL Bohs, the return of Chisom Ugwueru and Kate Flannery really was a game changer, and even though they’re young, their presence added a calming maturity to Fiona Hayes side.
Relying on the duo to clock up marks on the scoreboard, they rose to the challenge.
In fact, Ugwueru herself went above and beyond for a hatrick of tries (supplemented by conversions from her teammate Flannery), and deservedly collected the Player of the Match award.
🔴 UL BOHEMIANS 41
🟢 RAILWAY UNION 33
👏 @energiaenergy AIL FINAL -📌 Aviva stadium
Ugwueru for the hatrick of trys! Flannery then tops it off with the conversion.
Is that the moment that sees UL Bohs pull away!? pic.twitter.com/C1ppPUwuJv— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) April 28, 2024
3.The experienced players really rose to the fore
Coming into the game, everyone knew Niamh Byrne and Chloe Pearse in particular would be paramount to their side’s success, and boy did that turn out to be the case.
Aoife Corey, Aoife O’Shaughnessy, Maddy Aberg and Kayla Waldron all starred too, with the latter of whom unfortunately exiting early through a nasty injury.
Elsewhere prop Fiona Reidy bowed out in style, capping off a 16 year rugby career with her eighth Energia AIL title.
🔴 UL BOHEMIANS 27
🟢 RAILWAY UNION 26
👏 @energiaenergy AIL FINAL -📌 Aviva stadium
🏉 Captain Niamh Byrne steps up for a tey of her own! Caughey’s off target for the conversion however.
This is going down to the wire 😬 pic.twitter.com/d82yzcAHuj— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) April 28, 2024
4. Fiona Hayes has now won an AIL title as both captain and coach
Although they hadn’t featured on the honours list as much in recent years, this victory marks UL Bohs’ 14th AIL title in their history.
They were lead to the promised land this year by former player and Ireland veteran Fiona Hayes, who came in clutch all season to push on this team’s fighting spirit and wining ways.
She did of course win the title herself as captain of UL Bohs back in 2018, and now, in her first season as head coach, she’s added another Energia AIL title to her bow.
There are legends of Irish rugby on both sides of this game today, but I’m especially delighted for Fiona Hayes and Fiona Reidy.
And excited for the next generation of legends coming through. https://t.co/8qfY64f3HA pic.twitter.com/q6ZXHcbRWN— Dan Mooney (@danielmoonbags) April 28, 2024
5.The future is bright
Speaking post match, captain Chloe Pearse touched on how the day ultimately yielded a “cracker of the game” in front of the Aviva stadium crowd.
“Some great ballers on their side, but thankfully ours came through,” she says.
“It’s been a long few years slogging it out, not even competing in finals so to get back here and be able to win it again, like some of them kids they are superstars! Chisom Ugwueru, Kate Flannery, they’re class and they’re class people as well so it’s really special to get to share moments like that with them.”
With those powerhouses, and plenty of others too, the future sure does seem bright for UL Bohs, just as it does for Irish women’s rugby, after a superb showcase game in the Energia AIL final.
Comhghairdeas ollmhór le @ulbohemianrfc! 🏆
Congratulations to UL Bohemians 🤩@IrishRugby @EnergiaEnergy | #EnergiaAIL pic.twitter.com/DsOM6EIV5w— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 28, 2024
