2007/08 IWRFU DIVISION ONE LEAGUE FINAL: Saturday, April 19

BLACKROCK COLLEGE v UL BOHEMIANS, Nenagh RFC, 3pm

Blackrock however can rightly be confident about their chances, having beaten UL Bohs earlier this season.

Time was that Bohs provided all of the attacking flair that other teams could not match and though they were sometimes rattled up front, they always had enough back-line talent to stave off any challenges.

The reverse could have been said of Blackrock – a team that always carried massive strength up front but with not quite enough behind the front eight to make it count when they played the likes of Bohs in league finals.

Those weaknesses in both sides have been gradually redressed over the past few seasons and the contests between the two best teams in Ireland have been far more evenly matched.

It means that it is impossible to call this weekend’s final. The captains of both sides are Ireland’s two leading scrum halves and their battle in the number 9 jerseys will be just one of many clashes that determine who comes out on top.

Blackrock’s leading backs, such as Shannon Houston and Grace Davitt, will have to be at their best defensively to curtail the threats in the outstanding back-line they will face.

They will be facing quality names such as Sarahjane Belton, Lynne Cantwell, Patrique Kelly and  Jeannette Feighery.

The Dublin side have one of Ireland’s star forwards this season in their team with lock Geri Healy coming into the game on the back of an impressive Six Nations season.

Her talents, along with the likes of Orla Brennan and Yvonne Nolan, will be hugely important in deciding the outcome.

UL Bohemians captain Louise Beamish said that her side are not under any illusions before the big game.

“Because Blackrock have beaten us earlier this season we know how difficult this final will be. In saying that, this year is the best prepared we have been in the last seven seasons and we hope this preparation will mean we can be successful this weekend,” she said.

Blackrock skipper Tania Rosser said her side had been preparing in earnest for the final.

“We’re looking forward to the match against UL this weekend and have been working towards this final and hopefully it’ll be our year,” Rosser admitted.

“Newcomers to the club like Julie Doyle and Linda O’Hara have shone throughout the season and we have a few girls in the team with a lot to prove, so hopefully everything will come together for us.” 

UL Bohemians squad

Fiona Coghlan, Gillian Bourke, Nicola Larkin, Edel Coen, Laura Guest, Kate Hennessey, Kate Sheehan, Fiona Reidy, Caroline Mahon, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Joy Neville, Maryam Tahhan, Louise Beamish (capt), Susan Carty, Nicole Fitzgerald, Tina Fitzerald, Sarah-Jane Cody, Patrique Kelly, Carol Murphy, Lynne Cantwell, Dawn Oliver Smith, Sarahjane Belton, Jeannette Feighrey, Mairead Kelly.

Blackrock squad

Tania Rosser (capt), Louise Austin, Orla Brennan, Debbie Clarke, Liz Comerford, Shirley Corcoran, Orla Creedon, Grace Davitt, Julie Doyle, Maire Gilbourne, Germaine Healy, Shannon Houston, Emer McMenamly, Aine Ni Chathain, Yvonne Nolan, Linda O’Hara, Zofia Pehrson, Lillie Quirke, Kate Rosengrave, Orlaith Ryan, Sinead Ryan, Christine Spindler.