Ulster Universities go for Third Level Colleges Glory

Ulster Universities go for Third Level Colleges Glory

Three Ulster universities will compete this weekend in the 100th Anniversary of the Ashbourne 3rd level Camogie competition in the grounds of DCU campus, Dublin.

On Saturday St.Mary’s teaching college will play Galway IT in the semi-final of the Fr.Meachiar Cup. St Mary’s should welcome back Loughgiel trio Ashling Mc Fadden, Maeve Connolly and Maira Lynn, and along with Derry stars Maeve Quinn, Eilis Ni Chaiside and current Ulster player of the year Megan Kerr the Falls Road outfit will fancy their chances to progress to the Cup final, however last years Shield winners were dealt a blow in midweek with a shoulder injury to Derry centre back Maria Mooney. St. Mary’s looked good in the group stages and will be quietly confidence of cup glory in 2015.

UUJ will play Limerick side Mary I in the Purcell cup Semi-Final on Saturday. Having dropped down from the top tier in 2014 Jordanstown have a real opportunity to claim Cup silverware, led by Dunloy’s Cathir Cunning and with players like Niamh Mallon who will lead the attack with real determination, however its again the Oak leaf county girls that are the backbone of this team. Karen Kielt is simply a matchwinner, and with Teresa McElroy, Aoife Ni Chaiside and the dangerous Mary Kelly who were all excellent in the Belfast Derby win against QUB, you would fancy them to reach the final. Hannah Mc Gewon is a talented corner back who adds steel to that line, and this is where UUJ need to be careful as Mary I have good inside forwards like Katie Campbell. Let’s hope St. Mary’s & UUJ make it a cup double.

QUB will contest the first final of the weekend on Saturday at 3pm against midlanders NUIM Maynooth. QUB have a sound all round team, captained by Ruby Maire Rice they boast some of the best young players in Ulster, Meabh Laverty, Mairead McNichol, Dervla Shorty O’Kane, Eimear Hayes and Aine Mullholland are all fresher’s, in fact manager Joe Baldwins side contains no fewer than eight first years, the experienced players will need to stand up and be counted if Queens are to win silverware for the sixth consecutive year. NUIM have Tipperary seniors on their books and players like Claire Kennedy will need to be shackled if Queens want silverware again. Joanne Mullan could be the difference in this game, the Armagh flyer was superb when introduced as a second half sub on the last day.

Good luck all to all Ulster Colleges this weekend.