Railway out for revenge v Bohs in Women's AIL final
If Sunday's Women's All-Ireland League final even serves up half the points tally of last year's decider, it'll prove decent value for money.
For the second year in a row, UL Bohemians and Railway Union will face off in the women's AIL showpiece (Sunday, 1.30pm).
The pair served up 14 tries and 86 points in the 2024 decider, as Bohs eventually came out on top 48-38 to win a record 14th AIL title, and their first since 2018.
While the finalists are evenly matched, and there is a competitive group behind in Blackrock, Old Belvedere and Wicklow, there will need to be some reflection among IRFU chiefs about the current state of the women's senior club scene.
The expanded Celtic Challenge, and centralisation of so many contracted players to Dublin clubs has seen a two-tier league emerge, with huge scorelines, and multiple walkovers given across the season.
Suttonians, Cooke and Galwegians were all docked points for conceding games, while Railway, who finished top of the regular season standings with 18 wins from 18, scored 971 points and conceded just 100.
What should have been a season to remember for Tullow in their debut AIL campaign turned into one they would like to forget, as they found the going tough in senior rugby, finishing without a point, conceding just under 1,000 points along the way.
With the way the professional game is going, a major change is needed to prevent the league descend into irrelevance. Last year, it was seen as a big step to play the women's final at the Aviva as part of a double-header with the men, but that will look like an empty gesture if the competition is allowed to fall into disrepair.
The wider picture will be of no concern to whoever is lifting the trophy on Sunday evening, however.
This will be a fifth final in a row for the 2019 and 2022 champions Railway, who are under a new head coach this season after Mike South stepped in for John Cronin this year.
Captained by centre Niamh Byrne, the side are powered by former Ireland international prop Lindsay Peat, who is doubling up as number 8 and assistant coach this season. Even at the age of 44, Peat has scored a joint-high 23 tries this season.
With Railway carrying a 100% record through the regular season, Bohs weren't far behind them. Fiona Hayes side were a clear second in the table, winning 16 games, losing narrowly, 19-18 and 17-10, to their final opponents.
Both sides have hit the 100 point mark in a single game this season, but their semi-final wins were much closer; Railway defeating Old Belvedere 37-24 at Sydney Parade, while Bohs edged Blackrock in a 15-12 arm-wrestle.
"Two contrasting sides, very much so," Hannah O'Connor said of the finalists this week.
The former Ireland and Leinster second/back row was part of the Blackrock side that lifted the title in 2023, and captained the squad this season.
And she told the RTE Rugby podcast that one of Bohs' biggest weapons is their cohesion.
"We came out of the blocks fast and were off to a good start, but you come up against a UL Bohs side who are very used to playing together, a lot of them play together for Munster as well.
"They invest the same style of play, that front-ball rugby with big carriers and they have pacy backs outside, getting the ball to the likes of Chisom Ugweuru and Clara Barrett and a few others, they have pace out wide.
"They're well-used tactically to playing with each other. They do it really well and it's shown in those 16 matches they've won, and the semi-final they won against us.
"I think Railway, on the other hand, like to play a fast ball, not a fan of much setpiece. They have good strength in the scrum, and the height of Aoife McDermott at the lineout, but they tend to want to play ball. They want to play ball quickly and they want to stretch you.
"They want to use the pace and the ballers they have, to play it almost like a sevens game at times where they keep that ball moving. They love a quick-tap penalty, so it's two contrasting sides."
Saturday's Guinness Women's Six Nations finale against Scotland will have an impact on both sides this week.
Claire Boles, who came off the bench for Railway in their semi-final win, is among the subs for Ireland this weekend, while Bohs have been hit even harder, with Aoife Corey starting for Ireland, and Jane Clohessy a replacement in Edinburgh this weekend.
While Bohs came out on top last year, O'Connor believes Railway have added to their game in 2025, and she expects the hurt from two final defeats in a row to drive them on to their third All-Ireland title.
"Last year it was a bananas game in the Aviva, where in the end UL Bohs stuck to their system and patterns and Railway fell away from what was working for them and Railway were left chasing a game that got out of their reach.
"My head is saying, based on how Railway have played and the players they have got back in, and the experience they have in the spine of their team. Ultimately their pace might be able to have the upper hand on Bohs on the day.
"But we saw it last year, they started off that way and fell away from it.
"The benefit of last year and what they didn't achieve last year will probably stand to them, and that bittersweet feeling they were left with. They won't want to feel that again."
Watch a URC double-header, Scarlets v Leinster and Ulster v Sharks, on Saturday from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
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