We popped along to Park Avenue on a cold and damp Friday evening to catch up with the delayed All Ireland Cup Semi Final match between Railway Union and Old Belvedere.

Belvo have been the form team in the Women’s All Ireland League over the last couple of months so I was keen to have a look at their form in what promised to be a highly competitive fixture. The conditions were far from ideal but I’m glad to say that the match didn’t disappoint.

After a slow start in the difficult conditions and a heavy pitch the game warmed up nicely with a good standard of play from both sides. Railway’s forwards just about edged the encounter and the home side were rewarded with tries from Emma Taylor (2) and Siobhan McCarthy with Gemma Matthews responding for Old Belvedere. In the battle of the Irish international out halfs Nikki Caughey converted two of Railway’s tries and Nora Stapleton converted her only attempt.

The visitors will be unhappy that they left a couple of scores on the pitch but credit has to be given to the Railway scrambling defence which was able to force mistakes at key times.

It was a big win for Railway who now go forward to play UL Bohemian in the final at the end of the month. Both teams are chasing a League and Cup double.

The conditions were also difficult for our photographers but we’ve managed to put together a gallery of the match. It’s a big thank you to the latest member of Team FRU John Crothers for helping out, his are the clear pictures below.  🙂

Images below.

Photo credit – John Crothers & John McMurtry