UCD defeat UL in Ashbourne Qualifier

Suzie O’Carroll was in stirring form for the visitors with 1-10, as UCD withstood a second half comeback by the hosts, to stage a strong finish and prevail by nine points at the finish.

UCD led by 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval thanks to a 20th minute goal from Wexford’s Una Leacy. UL had taken an early 0-3 to 0-1 advantage but relied heavily on the good work of Waterford sharpshooter -Ýne Lyng from frees, and Lyng accounted for all of UL’s opening half scorers.

Ideal ground conditions allowed for a free flowing game and although UCD raced into an eight point lead on the restart, with O’Carroll and Cork duel player Rena Buckley among those on target, while there was also good play in the midfield sector from Alison Maguire of Dublin.

UL came back to cut the deficit to four points thanks to an Aine Lyng penalty goal, six minutes from the end.

However once Therese Milton was switched to curb Lyng’s influence, the supply of ball to the Waterford player was reduced sufficiently, to allow UCD stage a strong finish.

A late goal from O’Carroll and some strong play in the final minutes, ensured UCD scored 1-3 without reply and advanced to a semi-final meeting with either Cork IT or NUI Galway on February 23rd. Those sides will meet on Wednesday next in Cork, while Garda College host UUJ and Waterford IT take on UCC in the other quarter-finals.

Elsewhere in Division 4 of the National League Roscommon recorded a good victory over Louth while Carlow and Kildare played out a thrilling 3-6 to 1-12 draw at O’Hanrahan’s.

Scorers for UCD: S O’Carroll 1-10 (6f); U Leacy 1-0; A Maguire, R Buckley (1f), A Mahony 0-1 each
Scorers for UL: A Lyng 1-6 (1-0pen, 4f); E Maher 0-1

“