NORA STAPLETON HAD an evening to remember yesterday as she captained Old Belvedere and scored the winning try in the Women’s All Ireland League final.
The Fahan native’s side enjoyed a dramatic 19-17 win over UL Bohemian at Donnybrook, with Stapleton scoring nine points.
Photo caption: Nora Stapleton and her Old Belvedere and Ireland teammate Sophie Spence celebrate their victory over UL Bohemian in the Women’s All Ireland League final at Donnybrook yesterday
Stapleton, a two-time RBS Women’s Six Nations winning out-half with Ireland, scored a majestic try when she broke the gainline and avoided a flurry of challenges to touch down eight minutes into the second half.
@NoraStapleton lifting the cup for @OldBelvoLadies Congrats again!? #3inarow #AILFinal pic.twitter.com/Ub1dUrwzwC
— Jess (@Jesskeating2134) December 12, 2015
That, with Stapleton adding the conversation, made for a 19-7 lead for Old Belvedere.
However, UL Bohemian fought back, with Syphonia Pua scoring a try four minutes later. And with the last play of the game, Liz Burke added another try to bring the Munster side back to 19-17 down.
Niamh Briggs, the Ireland full-back, missed an awkward conversion chance with the last kick of the match and Old Belvedere had won a third league title in a row.
In the first half, Franziska Klappoth was the first try-scorer of the game for Old Belvedre, only for Fiona Hayes and a Briggs conversion to put UL Bohemian in front 7-5.
A try from Emer O’Malley, which was converted brilliantly by Stapleton from the sideline, gave Old Belvedre a 12-7 half-time lead.
