Ashbourne Qualifiers Preview

This Sunday sees the opening game of the Ashbourne Cup with a mouth-watering tie in prospect as current holders UCD take on UL in UL. This is a massive game for both teams as a win guarantees a spot in the Ashbourne Cup semi-final in Belfast on February 23rd. However the losing team will have to contend with a place in the shield semi-final. UCD have a number of big names who played key roles in last year’s successful campaign including, sisters Mary and Una Leacy, Rena Buckley and full-back Mairead Luttrell. While UL will look to Waterford talent Aine Lyng to lead the home side. UCD will be favourites for this tie as reigning champions.  However, UL will  leave no stone unturned in their quest for glory on Sunday.

The remaining three qualifiers take place the following Wednesday February 13th with NUIG making the long trip to CIT to battle it out. The Garda College and UUJ meet in a repeat of last years Shield final in Dublin, while UCC travel to Ballygunner in Waterford to play WIT. For CIT All-Ireland Club winner, Cashel’s Julie McGrath will be hoping to get the better of NUIG who have Laura Linnane in their side. Cork players Catriona Foley and first year Orla Cotter make up a formidable force for UCC, along with Tipperary player Jill Horan. Waterford IT will be looking to improve on last year’s performance where they were beaten at this stage by UCD. Their team will include Wexford players Stacey Redmond and Ursula Jacob along with Grainne Brennan and Michelle Quilty from Kilkenny. Tipperary camogie player Michelle Shortt captains the Garda College who have made great progress since winning the Purcell cup in 2005. In attack Marie O’Connor will be closely watched by UUJ’s Fionnula Carr. All in all an exciting few days of camogie is in store as Third Level Camogie’s most prestigious competition gets underway.

All the fixtures are as follows:

Third Level Camogie – Ashbourne Qualifiers:

Sunday 10th February 2008
UL — UCD, UL, Limerick, 1pm

Wednesday 13th February 2008
CIT — NUIG, CIT, 1pm