Railway steam way past Highfield
Women’s rugby
By Daire Walsh
RAILWAY UNION……………………………………… 27
HIGHFIELD………………………………………………. 00
THERE was disappointment for Highfield at Templeville Road on Saturday afternoon, when stellar performances from Emer O’Mahony and Kim Flood ensured that Railway Union were crowned Women’s All-Ireland Cup champions in emphatic fashion.
The Cork girls were contesting their fourth consecutive decider at this grade, but with O’Mahony and Flood contributing a combined tally of 22 points, they had no answer to the pace and power of the Sandymount outfit.
Wayne Falvey’s charges are much-changed from the team that competed at the same stage of last year’s competition, however, and they should benefit from this experience as they aim to go one better in 2016.
Highfield were battle-hardened heading into this contest after recording narrow wins against Old Belvedere (10-7) and UL Bohemians (12-5), but the absence of ineligible international star Heather O’Brien (who acted as the team’s physio on the day) was always going to be keenly felt.
The south Dubliners recovered from an early 10-0 deficit to overcome Highfield in the league last October, and with just four minutes gone on the clock, they broke the deadlock in the Templeogue venue.
A powerful line break from inside centre Nicole Fowley brought Railway into the Highfield ’22’, and even though her run towards the posts was eventually halted, winger O’Mahony dotted down in the corner after the play was transferred towards the right-flank.
Flood’s tricky touchline conversion was agonisingly wide of the mark, however, and after an anxious start, the Woodleigh Park side did show glimpses of attacking potential.
A clever kick towards the whitewash by Nicola Scully almost yielded an equalising try, but just before the first-quarter mark, their line was breached for a second time.
The excellent O’Mahony broke free on the right-wing to register another five-pointer, and thanks to a successful bonus kick by Flood, they had opened a 12-point cushion.
Highfield found themselves on the back-foot for much of the opening period, and weren’t helped by the strong breeze that was blowing against them.
In contrast, Railway continued to pose problems for their southern rivals, and subsequently extended their advantage with a 33rd minute Flood penalty. They pushed for a third try as the interval beckoned, and although they came up short, they had reason to be pleased with their 15-0 half-time lead.
A try for Highfield may well have turned the game on its head, but instead it was Railway who effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt 14 minutes into the half. The exceptional Flood embarked on a memorable individual sprint for the line, and touched down in clinical style on the right-hand side.
Her two-point attempt drifted past the target, but she had an opportunity to make amends on the stroke of 60 minutes. Emma Murphy joined her fellow winger, O’Mahony, in scoring a try by breaking out of a congested area and grounding at a perfect angle for Flood’s follow-up strike.
Scorers for Railway Union: Emer O’Mahony 2 tries, Emma Murphy try, Kim Flood try, pen, 2 cons.
Railway Union: Claire Ryan; Emer O’Mahony, Kim Flood, Nicole Fowley, Emma Murphy; Mere Dee Baker, Ailisa Hughes; Shirley Corcoron, Lisa Callan, Lucy O’Sullivan; Sarah Cranley, Susan Fogarty; Cliodhna Moloney, Jennie Finlay, Ciara Cooney.
Replacements: Aoife Maher for Callan (43), Suzanne Hughes for O’Sullivan, Katie O’Dwyer for Cranley, Melissa Slevin for O’Mahony (all 65), O’Sullivan for Moloney, Ali Bird for Fowley (both 76), Callan for Finlay (78), Fowley for Baker (79).
Highfield: Laura Sheehan; Jayne Pennefather, Danielle Morgan, Nicola Scully, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird; Norita Duggan, Ellen Murphy; Niamh English, Amy Desmond, Leah Lyons; Gerda Coyne, Elaine Anthony; Aoife Moore, Roisin Ormand, Deirdre Lynch.
Replacements: Amy O’Callaghan for Sheehan, Chris Fanning for Anthony (both h-t), Leah Bentham for Morgan (60), Hannah Lane for Desmond (69), Amy Thompson for English, Aoife Buckley for Lynch (both 79).
Referee: Helen O’Reilly (IRFU).