Railway run riot to secure cup glory
RAILWAY UNION……………………………………… 27
HIGHFIELD………………………………………………. 00
By Daire Walsh
Women’s All-Ireland Cup Final
Emer O’Mahony and Kim Flood were the star performers at Templeville Road on Saturday afternoon, when Railway Union were crowned Women’s All-Ireland Cup champions following an outstanding performance against Highfield.
Kerry native O’Mahony contributed two tries inside the first quarter, opening the scoring after just four minutes when a powerful line-break by centre Nicola Fowley created the attacking platform.
Railway doubled their advantage on 19minutes courtesy of O’Mahony’s superb solo effort on the right-flank, five points from the boot of Flood earned a 15-point interval advantage.
The half-time introduction of Amy O’Callaghan and Chris Fanning added much-needed spark to Highfield’s play, but the absence of ineligible Irish star Heather O’Brien was keenly felt.
Flood scored an eye-catching try f54 minutes in and left-wing Emma Murphy ran in another as Railway eased to a commanding triumph.
Scorers for Railway Union: E O’Mahony 2 tries, E Murphy try, K Flood try, pen, 2 cons.
Railway UNION: C Ryan; E O’Mahony, K Flood, N Fowley, E Murphy; MD Baker, A Hughes; S Corcoron, L Callan, L O’Sullivan; S Cranley, S Fogarty; C Moloney, J Finlay, C Cooney.
Replacements: A Maher for Callan (43), S Hughes for O’Sullivan, K O’Dwyer for Cranley, M Slevin for O’Mahony (all 65), O’Sullivan for Moloney, A Bird for Fowley (both 76), Callan for Finlay (78), Fowley for Baker (79).
HIGHFIELD: L Sheehan; J Pennefather, D Morgan, N Scully, D Nic a Bhaird; N Duggan, E Murphy; N English, A Desmond, L Lyons; G Coyne, E Anthony; A Moore, R Ormand, D Lynch.
Replacements: A O’Callaghan for Sheehan, C Fanning for Anthony (both h-t), L Bentham for Morgan (60), H Lane for Desmond (69), A Thompson for English, A Buckley for Lynch (both 79).
Referee: H O’Reilly (IRFU).
Prop Christina Ramos was the hero for Queen’s University in Templeville Road on Saturday, as her hat-trick of tries guided the Ulster college to a 22-5 All-Ireland Shield victory.