UCC’s 23-year hoodoo in the Ashbourne Cup has finally come to an end after they easily brushed aside the challenge of UCD by 2-16 to 0-7 in Sunday’s Electric Ireland showpiece final at DCU Sportsgrounds.
Sarah O’Brien was the star of the show, settling the pre-match favourites by winning a free for the opening point and following up with a score from play, then wrapping up a stellar all-round showing with two late goals to put real distance between the sides.
That immediate initial impression forced the UCD management to pull their talisman, Kilkenny’s Grace Walsh, back into the full-back line to try and curtail the Limerick star. While the battle between these two players was a real clash of the titans, Walsh’s influence further outfield was sorely missed by the Dublin students.
With their nerves eased by that fast start, Niamh McNabola kept the pressure on with a point, O’Brien moved over to the left corner to add another score and AFLW-bound Cork dual star, Aoife Healy drove through the defence to set up a Sophie Pembroke point, making it 0-5 to no score after 10 minutes.
There were 23 minutes on the clock by the time UCD finally got off the mark, Ciara Curtin whipping over.
A score of real class from UCC, set up by O’Brien and slotted from a tight angle from Abby Walsh, made it 0-9 to 0-1 at the interval.
UCC added the first four points of the second half as well and while UCD then settled into the game with points from Carey, Curtin and Emma Moran, there was still time for a final flourish from O’Brien.
Her first goal came after she pounced on a break and drove through a gap to finish low underneath Robyn Conlon, her second rifled to the roof of the net when she cut through from the left corner and recovered well after her first attempt was hooked, the last act in a comprehensive win.
UL won the Purcell Cup, holding out in a tense, defensive battle against Queen’s University by 2-9 to 1-9.
Caoimhe O’Donovan (Offaly), Emma Mulhall (Kilkenny), Aisling Cooney and Aoife Anderson (both Clare) were very strong in the opening half, controlling the middle of the field and ensuring a steady flow of possession for the Shannonside students.
Queen’s made a bright start when Sinéad Quinn powered down the left wing to set up the opening score for Katie Molloy, but Kaci Toomey’s reflexes meant she was first to react to Clodagh Kelly’s save on a Sadhgbh Buttle shot, and UL never trailed from then on.
Queen’s did draw level but UL pulled away again with points from Fianait Dooley and Emma Mulhall and by half time they led by 1-6 to 0-6.
Mulhall was the player who ensured that UL would take the honours as she seized the initiative to score the all-important second UL goal in the 48th minute.
UL were comfortable for most of the remainder of the game but a low strike from Jessica Traynor in the first minute of stoppage time set up a grandstand finish.
Queen’s couldn’t get another clean look at goal however and ultimately time ran out on their bid to build on their Fr. Meaghair Cup win two years ago.
University of Galway easily brushed aside Trinity College in this year’s Fr Meaghair decider by 5-19 to 1-5. Leah Murphy bagged a hat-trick of goals for UG.
