Camogie Colleges Division 1 League Final – UCC vs. UU Jordanstown

The first competitive Third Level Camogie match took place on Saturday 15th January as UUJ and UCC played off for the honour of Division 1 League Champions. On a difficult day for camogie UCC got off to the best possible start with a goal from midfielder Miriam Crowley within the first five minutes. Despite playing against a strong wind UCC took advantage of a UUJ side who were missing a number of regulars. With midfield pairing of Cork duo Orla Cotter and Crowley on top UCC dominated the first half and despite a strong performance from UUJ captain Maebh McGoldrick, UCC continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded with goals from Niamh Goulding and Cliodhna MacSweeney. UUJ did threaten the UCC defence for a period but some resolute defending from Sarah Collins, Julie Brien and Pamela Mackey kept them at bay. UCC tagged on further points from Orla Cotter, Katrina Mackey and Denise Cronin, to leave the half time score 3.05 to 0.00.

UUJ improved greatly in the second half but could not turn their possession into scores and with Elaine O’Shea sweeping up in defence it was difficult for UUJ to find a way through. Good build up play from Paula Gribben, Charlene Hamill and Cathy Carey saw Sara Louise Carr go on a strong solo run were she was fouled and put over the free herself to get UUJ off the mark. Midway through the second half both teams made changes which allowed the managers of both teams to assess their options before the Ashbourne quarter finals in three weeks. As the end of the match approached UCC were guilty of some wides but that was mainly due to the pressure that the UUJ defence was asserting. An excellent save from UUJ keeper Brona McIntyre saw her keep a clean sheet in the second half. Referee Donal Ryan signalled the end of the match and UCC Captain Grainne Kenneally was delighted to pick up the silverware which saw UCC collect their first trophy since 2003. Final score 3-10 to 0.01

University College Cork 3-10 versus University of Ulster Jordanstown 0-01

Saturday 15th January

Eire OG Caragh

Referee: Donal Ryan

UCC Team: Susan Earner, Julie Brien, Sarah Collins, Elaine O’Shea, Pamela Mackey, Fionnuala Carr, Eadoin McNamara, Miriam Crowley, Orla Cotter, Grainne Kenneally (capt), Denise Cronin, Katrina Mackey, Patricia Buttimer, Niamh Goulding, Cliodhna MacSweeney

UUJ Team: Brona McIntyre, Sarah McNicholl, Sarah Maguire, Grainne Kelly, Karen Tinnelly, Maebh McGoldrick, Cathy Carey, Paula Gribben, Charlene Hamill, Caoimhe McCoy, Sara-Louise Carr, Maebh McGillian, Emma McMullen, Seana Cosgrove

Match Preview

The first piece of silverware is up for grabs this weekend as Cork College UCC will battle it out with top Belfast side UU Jordanstown. The match will take place in Naas GAA pitch on Saturday at 2pm.

It has been quite a few years since either team picked up Division 1 silverware and both teams will be hoping to get the extra confidence ahead of the Ashbourne quarter finals. Under the guardianship of John Crossey, UUJ had an excellent league campaign with a comprehensive win over 2010 finalists UCD followed by wins over rivals QUB and Galway side NUIG. UUJ host some of the top inter-county names in Ulster with Down, Derry and Antrim heavily represented. The Belfast side on paper are a match for any college side in the country and they also have the luxury of a number of Antrim’s All Ireland Premier Junior Champions including Soaring Star Michaela Convery. UUJ are strong at the back with Derry duo Aileen McCusker and Maebh McGoldrick holding the Full back and Centre Back positions respectively and supported by the versatile Karen Tinnelly, however they are not able to call on 2010 Ashbourne All Star Eleanor Mallon due to long term injury. The UUJ defence will have to be at their best to quell to attack of UCC’s Grainne Kenneally, Katrina Mackey and Niamh Goulding who have been racking up impressive scores in their league campaign. Midfield could prove to be where the winning of this tie will be and Down’s Paula Gribben and Antrim vice-captain Charlene Hamill will be up against Cork duo Orla Cotter and Roisin de Faoite. All four midfielders are very hard working with excellent fitness levels, both teams will try to play a holding midfielder and allow the other the freedom of going forward, whoever comes out on top of this battle will go a long win in winning this tie.

UCC have been just as impressive in their league campaign beating 2010 and 2009 double league and Ashbourne winners WIT, comprehensively beating UCC and grinding out a hard earned victory over UL. Both UUJ and UCC have excellent forward lines, Sara Louise Carr could prove to be the match winner for UUJ with excellent ball winning ability and scoring taking, if UUJ can get quality ball into their full forward line they could trouble the UCC defence. UCC full back Sarah Collins is one of the best in the game and she is well supported by Galway players Susan Earner in goals and Julie Brien, Cork’s Caitroina Mackey and Limericks Aideen McNamara. Irish hockey international Miriam Crowley is available for UCC and she could have a big say in the outcome of the match.

If UUJ lay down a marker in the first five or ten minutes of the match they could go on and win but they will need to concentrate for sixty plus minutes against an excellent UCC side. Both managers will want to win to give their team a boost heading into the Ashbourne quarter finals and UCC manager Ray Delaney and UUJ manager John Crossey will need to be at their best along the line. The match promises to be a highly entertaining contest and CCAO would like to wish both teams the best of luck in what they hope to be a competitive match played in a sporting manner.