The Final of the Energia Women’s All Ireland League takes place tonight at Energia Park between Railway Union and Blackrock College.
A big crowd is expected despite the cold conditions and the installation of the All Weather pitch has rarely been seen to better effect.
Railway are bidding to become the first three-in-a-row champions since Old Belvedere seven years ago. It is a last league final for their long-time director of rugby and head coach John Cronin, who is stepping down due to work commitments.
Railway’s senior coach Larissa Muldoon, who will succeed Cronin as head coach next season, commented: “I think by losing to Blackrock by two points, we actually had so many lessons learned from that. So I nearly would have rather lost earlier in the season, in that way we’re really prepped and planned and ready to go for the final.
“if you’re looking at the weather conditions for the final, it is going to be a cold night and a late kick-off. I do think it will be a massive game for our forward pack.
“Blackrock’s pack has a wealth of experience with the likes of Laura Feely, numerous caps for Ireland, Emma Hooban, Irish hooker, their second row too. If you look at their back row, Hannah O’Connor, Irish capped, Dorothy (Wall) and Maeve Óg (O’Leary), like there is serious experience there.
“From our side of things, it’s evenly matched with the likes of Katie O’Dwyer, Lindsay Peat and Aoife McDermott, and our number 8 who has probably had the season of her life in Deirdre Roberts. So, I think it’s going to be a massive match-up and I think set piece is going to be the winning or losing of the game potentially.”
Blackrock Centre Claffey, who grabbed her ninth try of the season in the semi-final win over UL Bohemians, recently received an award from Blackrock as the longest-serving captain within the club. She has skippered the team since 2016.
“It would be an incredible feeling just to represent our club, represent everyone who has played for Blackrock since the last time they won it,” she said.
“It has been a long time, and this group of players have put in an awful lot of effort to get to where we are. If I get to do that (lift the trophy) on Friday, that would be just amazing. It would mean everything.”
The sponsors will of course be neutral in who they want to win though Railway union sponsors Simmons and Simmons would be more comfortable in the celebration pictures afterward, perhaps, than Blackrock College sponsors Pinergy, a rival of theirs in the energy market.
For those not making it along the game will be televised live on TG4.
