Ashbourne Cup Previews

In the first of the Ashbourne Cup semi-finals, reigning champions WIT will take on Ulster side Jordanstown. WIT will boast no fewer than five players of last years beaten All-Ireland finalists Kilkenny, including Kilkenny captain Anne Dalton, Young Player of the Year Denise Gaule and All-Star recipient Katie Power. WIT will be led by captain Ursula Jacob who was an All-Ireland medallist with Wexford in 2007. Jacob was in fine scoring form during their quarter-final win over CIT and finished with a tally of 2-08. The UUJ defence will have to be at their best to nullify the threat of not only Jacob but all of the WIT forward line. On paper UUJ are as talented as any college team in the country and they notched up an impressive 3-19 in their quarter final win over AIT. UUJ do have an injury worry with Down’s Sara Louise Carr but they will be relieved that she completed a full sixty minutes with Down in their opening National League fixture against Limerick.  If UUJ are to be successful they will need players such as captain Karen McMullan, Maebh McGoldrick of Derry, Antrim’s Shannon Graham and the Down trio of Karen Gribben , Sara Louise Carr and Paula Gribben to be prominent throughout.  WIT and UUJ also have 2009 Soaring Stars Karen Kelly and Karen Tinnelly respectively and they will be key figures in the outcome of the match.  If the UUJ defence is watertight and if they approach the game in the correct frame of mind they could cause an upset.

WIT –v- UUJ
Time: 1.30pm
Pitch: 1
Ref: Cathal Egan

UCC – V – UCD

Despite nature’s best attempts to disrupt UCC’s preparation for the Ashbourne Cup they can now look forward to taking on UCD in Saturday’s Cup semi-final, after overcoming a very good UL side in their quarter-final tie.  UCD have reached the semi-final stage after comprehensively defeating last year’s Ashbourne Shield winners NUIG in their quarter-final tie.  After a nervous start against UL, UCC settled well into the game but they cannot afford any false starts and they will need to be at their best to deny a cohesive UCD outfit.  The UCD forwards are very strong, in particular their full forward line of Aine Mahony, who recorded a personal tally of 2-06, Denise McGrath (2-00) and Katie O’Dwyer (0-02) in their quarter-final win.  The UCC full back line of Sarah Collins, Julie Brien and Elaine O’Shea will have to reproduce the fine performances they gave against UL to withstand the UCD attack.  This game looks likely to be won in the forward line and UCC will need Cork’s Orla Cotter at her best to lead their attack and win her individual battle over UCD centre back Leanne Fennelly.  Cotter will be supported by Tipp’s Aoife McLoughney, captain Grainne Kenneally and Niamh Goulding who scored two superb individual scores against UL. UCD will rely on their full forward line as well as the excellent Therese Manton from Galway. UCC will be hoping that their midfield line can dominate proceedings and provide the vital link between defence and attack. An intriguing match is in store and it will come down to the wire with the team who wants it more likely to be victorious at the end.This is a game not to be missed.

UCC –v- UCD
Time: 3.30pm
Pitch: 1
Ref: John Morrissey

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