UL Bohs and Shannon stave off relegation but Bruff miss out on promotion | AIL Round Up

Limerick sides Shannon and UL Bohemians retained their status in their respective divisions over the weekend.

Both Shannon and UL Bohemian retained their current status in the All Ireland League with home victories in the play-off finals as Kerry shocked Bohs second side to win the Women’s Division 1 Cup Final.

In the All Ireland League Play-offs, Shannon defeated Highfield 32-12 on the back pitch in Thomond Park to retain their Division 1A status. Highfield had the best of the exchanges in the opening half leading 12-10 at the interval, thanks to four penalties by James Taylor. Michael Cooke replied with a try, a conversion, and a penalty for he Limerick side. Shannon were in complete control after the break with Josh Costello scoring two tries and Luke Rigney one. Cooke kicked two conversions and a penalty.

UL Bohemian retained their Division 2A status with a hard-fought 20-16 victory against Dungannon at Annacotty. Harry Byrne opened the scoring with a penalty for Bohs, but the visitors hit back to lead 16-3. However, a late rally saw “The Robins” get a try from Alan Kiely and a second from a maul following a lineout with Byrne converting both. A second penalty by Byrne saw U.L. Bohemian ensure their safety for another season.

Skerries defeated Bruff 30-15 at Holmpatrick to win promotion to Division 2B. Sean Kilbridge opened the scoring for Bruff with a penalty, but a penalty, try, and conversion by Ronan Mulcahy saw Skerries take control. A Paul O’Loughlin try converted by Mulcahy extended the home side’s advantage. Tom O’Dwyer replied with a Bruff try and Kilbridge added the extras. Two penalties by Mulcahy gave Skerries 23-10 halftime lead. Shane Duggan closed the gap with a try for Bruff, but a Peter O’Neill try converted by Mulcahy ensured promotion for the Dublin side.

UL Bohemian’s hopes of doing a league and cup double in Munster came unstuck in Tralee when Kerry defeated them 26-24 in a closely contested Munster Women’s Division 1 Cup Final. Joanne Daey scored two tries for Kerry and Emily O’Regan, and Maria Harnett got one each. Louise O’Driscoll converted three of the tries.