The Electric Ireland Higher Education Championships continued this week with twelve more games down for decision, with the knockout stages just around the corner.
Cover Image: Photo from the Captain’s Call for CCAO Competitions in DCU ahead of the semi-final stages (Photo Credit: Kyran O’Brien)
Ashbourne Cup
There were two games down for action in the Ashbourne Cup this week as the quarter-final stage got underway. First on Tuesday, TUD travelled to UCD for a Dublin derby, which ended in victory for the home side, with UCD coming away 3-13 to 2-06 victors. Then on Wednesday, University of Galway made the trip to Mardyke to take on UCC, with last year’s beaten finalists coming away victorious and sealing their semi-final spot on a score line of 1-13 to 1-10. This set up the two semi-finals, with UCC travelling to Limerick to take on reigning champions UL in a repeat of last year’s final, while DCU face off with UCD in another Dublin derby. This also sets up the Ashbourne shield final, with TUD and University of Galway facing off for the right to the trophy
Purcell Cup
In the Purcell Cup, MTU Cork welcomed SETU Carlow to campus on Monday, January 26th for their game, with the home side coming away with a 5-21 to 1-03 victory. Also on Monday, UL 2 and QUB travelled to Dublin to face off in DCU, with the Munster university coming away victorious after a close affair on a score line of 1-10 to 0-09. This set up the two quarter-finals, with UU Belfast travelling the short distance to Queen’s University for a Belfast derby, while Maynooth University welcomed MTU Cork to campus for their quarter-final. Both games took place on Thursday night, with Queen’s University coming out on top in the battle for Belfast on a score line of 5-10 to 0-08 to set up a semi-final date with UCC 2, while in Maynooth, the hosts were able to come away with the win after extra-time on a score line of 2-08 to 1-06, setting up a trip to Limerick to take on UL 2. Along with the semi-finals, the Purcell shield final will see MTU Cork take on UU Belfast
Fr. Meaghair Cup
There were two games taking place in the Fr. Meaghair Cup this week. The first game was on Monday, when UG 2 travelled to Tralee to take on MTU Kerry, with University of Galway coming away victorious 2-15 to 1-08. Then on Tuesday, TUS Midlands welcomed DCU 2 to campus for their game, with the side from the capital coming away 2-07 to 3-06 victors. This sets up the two semi-finals, with DCU 2 travelling to Galway to take on University of Galway 2, along with UL 3 making the trip to Dublin to take on Trinity College.
Aisling Gannon of TUD tries to escape the pressure from Aoibhinn Lally of UCD during their Ashbourne Cup QF (Photo: Paul Lundy)
Uí Mhaolagáin Cup
Starting on Monday, TUS Midwest welcomed ATU Galway to Moylish for their game, with ATU Galway coming away with a win after a high scoring affair on a score line of 1-11 to 5-11. Then on Wednesday, it was an all-Ulster affair between UU Magee & St. Mary’s in Jordanstown, with UU Magee coming away comprehensive 9-18 to 0-12 winners. This sets up the two semi-finals, with ATU Galway welcoming St. Mary’s to campus, along with Marino travelling to face off with UU Magee.
Ashling Murphy Cup
There was only one game down for decision this week in the Ashling Murphy Cup, with ATU Sligo facing off against MIC Thurles in Thurles. The home side were able to dig out a victory, wining on a score line of 1-14 to 0-07. This sets up the two semi-finals, with UU Coleraine and MIC Thurles facing off in Breffni Park for their semi-final, along with DCU 3 welcoming University of Galway 3 to campus with a final spot on the line.
Maura McCloy Cup
There was one final group game up for contention this week, with Marino 2 taking on ATU Donegal with a place in the semi-finals on the line. It was the side from the west coast that came out on top, with ATU Donegal winning on a score line of 3-12 to 0-03. This sets up the two semi-finals, with UL 4 travelling to ATU Donegal and UU Magee 2 travelling to MIC Limerick 2.
With the competitions heating up, we look ahead to next week’s semi-finals and finals. The very best of luck to all teams remaining in competitions ahead of finals weekend. For all your camogie content, follow us on Instagram by clicking this link
