Saturday February 13th, Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, Bekan, Co. Mayo
CIT v DIT
Throw-in: 3pm
Referee: Kevin McGeeney (Roscommon)
Dublin IT will face off against Cork IT for the second year in a row to try secure a Purcell Cup Final spot.
Last year's contest was a one sided affair when a rampant DIT slammed in 5 goals past the rebels. However, form suggests that this will be a far closer affair. Both have come through difficult groups and CIT's opening one point loss against Maynooth University was quickly followed up by a 7 point defeat of Queens. Linda Bolger pulls all the strings in the middle of the park whilst Blackrock duo Katlyn Hickey and Michelle Murphy will cause any defence trouble. Captain Jacinta Crowley will anchor a tough defence and will be ably assisted by Ciara Cashman.
The girls from the capital had a far more difficult encounter against St Pats than the scoreline suggested edging out winners by 4 points whilst a late salvo of 1-1 was enough to secure a draw with IT Carlow. Dee Brennan is solid between the sticks and is minded by Kilkenny star Catherine Foley at full back, Meabh Walsh has been the engine in around midfield and Faye McCarthy has been the Dublin sides top scorer all season.
The Purcell Cup has become the most difficult competition to predict over the last number of years as so many high quality teams fight for the prestige of calling themselves champions. This game will be tight and is almost too close to call. However on experience the DIT girls might just edge it.
Maynooth University v IT Carlow
Throw-in: 3pm
Referee: Richard McNicholas (Galway)
Fresh from Fr.Meachair promotion IT Carlow have reached the Purcell semi-final against all odds to be pitted against 2015 Division 1 league finalists Maynooth.
These sides last met in October 2014 for Purcell relegation/promotion with the University easily defeating the IT. Although these sides haven’t met in the 2016 championship, the Purcell Cup has been too close to call and this game will be no exception. Following their successful championship campaign, IT Carlow defeated St. Pat’s in IT Carlow in round one and drew with 2015 finalists DIT on Monday night to top the group.
In group B Maynooth took on CIT in Maynooth held on for a single point victory. To add to the drama, Queen’s pulled a win over Maynooth bring group B down to score difference. As a result CIT finished on top with Maynooth finishing second.
Both sides prove extremely strong up the centre with the pair of Carlow’s Kate Nolan and Kilkenny’s Sarah Ann Quilian Maynooth’s main women. Wearing black and red, IT Carlow’s spine of Kilkenny’s Edwina Keane, Offaly’s Siobhan Flannery and Cork’s Finola Neville will be a handful to manage.
Throwing in at 3pm this Purcell Cup semi-final is set to be one to watch as it is too close to call who will book their All-Ireland final spot the following day.
Full Fixtures:
Saturday February 13th
Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, Bekan, Co. Mayo
3pm Purcell Cup Semi-Final CIT v DIT
3pm Purcell Cup Semi-Final Maynooth University v IT Carlow
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Last year's contest was a one sided affair when a rampant DIT slammed in 5 goals past the rebels. However, form suggests that this will be a far closer affair. Both have come through difficult groups and CIT's opening one point loss against Maynooth University was quickly followed up by a 7 point defeat of Queens. Linda Bolger pulls all the strings in the middle of the park whilst Blackrock duo Katlyn Hickey and Michelle Murphy will cause any defence trouble. Captain Jacinta Crowley will anchor a tough defence and will be ably assisted by Ciara Cashman.
