Ashbourne Prelim

Its championship fever this week for Colleges Camogie.  The Ashbourne Prelim rounds will take place in which NUIG will host  2010 Purcell Cup winners Dublin IT and IT Tralee will host Athlone IT.  The prize at stake for all teams will be the opportunity to compete in the Ashbourne Competition which will be held in NUI Galway.

 

After dropping down to Division 2 this year Athlone will be hoping to build on their league campaign and reach the Ashbourne finals.  They will be competing against IT Tralee who have made huge strides in college camogie and reached the Purcell Cup final last year narrowly losing to DIT in the decider.  This game promises to be a tough contest and although Athlone will go into the match as favourites after playing in Division 1 last year they will come up against a very talented IT Tralee side managed by Padraig Moriarty.

 

In the second qualifier NUI Galway will be hoping that home advantage will help them overcome a strong DIT side.  With Galway hosting the Ashbourne and Purcell weekend this year they will be aiming to reach the top competition and led by Offaly Captain Michaela Morkan they will present a tough task to DIT.  DIT led by captain Grainne Quinn will be no pushover however and have recent Soaring Star Jane Dolan in their attack.  Dolan was in inspirational form throughout the league and DIT will be hoping that Dolan, Katie Murphy and Carol-Ann Canning will be in form to trouble the Galway defence.  Defensively Galway are very strong but they have lost All Star Niamh Kilkenny and she will could prove to be a massive loss for them.  Both teams are strong defensively so it will be whichever forward line is on form on the day that will decide the outcome of the match.  With home advantage and a bit more experience NUIG should come out winners on the day.

 

Ashbourne/Purcell Qualifier (on or before November 27th)

NUIG (Home)  V’s  DIT   (Qualifier A)

AIT     V’s   IT Tralee (Home) (Qualifier B)

 

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