Queen’s prepare for Purcell Cup assault
PURCELL CUP – QUB GAA FESTIVAL – 15 th /16 th February
Semi Finals 15 th February 2014
University College Cork v Queens University Belfast, 12pm
Cork queens UCC will compete in the Purcell Cup for the first time this weekend when they play hosts and former Purcell winners QUB. QUB won the Purcell Shield last year and with the added incentive of being hosts will be hoping to produce an upset in the semi-final and make it through to the Purcell Cup final on Sunday. UCC have Ray Delaney back as manager for the second time and while they will be disappointed not to be competing in the Ashbourne Cup they will have to produce a strong performance to overcome a determined QUB side. QUB finished runners up in their group and will be disappointed with their performance against DIT. UCC however, topped their group with comprehensive wins over CIT and Mary I. UCC are able to call upon Cork senior stars and former Camogie All Stars Pamela and Katrina Mackey along with the talented Joanne Casey. Casey pulls the strings in the forward line and they are buoyed in defence by Patricia Buttimer and the hard working Aoife Barry Murphy in midfield. QUB will rely heavily on Derry senior player Sinead Cassidy to lead their attack and she will be ably assisted by Brid McGourty and Mariosa McGourty. UCC will go into the match as favourites and they will be aiming to get back to the Ashbourne Cup, however, QUB will have home support and they will be eager to claim the Purcell Cup in front of the home side.
Dublin Institute Technology v Mary Immaculate, 1.30pm
Division 1 League finalists DIT head into the Purcell competition as many people’s favourites to be the outright winners. Following on from impressive performances in the league where they beat 2013 Ashbourne Cup winners WIT and were narrowly defeated by UL in the final, DIT will be hoping to continue their rich vein of form by defeating Mary I and reaching the Purcell Cup final. DIT have added Kilkenny star and former WIT Ashbourne Cup winner to their ranks and she is the main attacking threat from full forward. DIT manager Stephen Hoary has a well trained and well drilled team at his disposal and they are able to call upon a number of Dublin minor players who won the All Ireland minor title. Kate Aherne and Lizzy McSweeney are the standout performers at the back while Gaule is well supported by Miram Walsh, Alva Egan and Ali Twomey in attack. Mary I will have to be at their best to defeat DIT and they will rely upon 2013 Player of the Match Naomi Campbell to drive them forward from midfield and Katie Campbell in defence. DIT will start as the tournament favourites and should have enough firepower to overcome Mary I to reach Sunday’s final.
