Can WIT make it 5 Ashbourne Cups in a row

Some of the countries leading Camogie players enter battle this coming weekend at the University of Limerick complex where the prize on offer is the prestigious Ashbourne Cup.

Waterford Institute of Technology are the current holders of the competition having won last years competition on home soil, and if they retain the trophy this weekend, they will become only the third side to win the trophy five years in a row.

UCD have won the competition five times in a row on two different occasions, the first between 1938 and 1942 and again between 1980 and 1984, but they will have to win in again in 2014 if they are to equal the six in a row titles won by UCC again on two occasions, the first between 1922 and 1927 and then again between 1972 and 1977.

The first semi final on Saturday sees the hosts University of Limerick take on National University of Ireland Galway at 1pm and will be followed two hours later by the meeting of Waterford Institute of Technology and University College Dublin.

The hosts qualified for this year’s semi finals by virtue of winning ‘Group A’. They began with a 12 points to six victory over University College Cork and then recorded a 1-13 to 1-9 win over University College Dublin.

Like the host, the holders qualified for this year’s semi finals with a perfect record, firstly recording a ‘Group B’ 3-18 to 0-5 win over University of Ulster Jordanstown and then had an equally impressive 3-10 to 0-4 win over National University of Ireland, Galway.

The Galway side ensured that they would reach the last four of the competition when they recorded a 4-15 to 1-4 win over University of Ulster Jordanstown, while University College Dublin ensured they would be in the last four thanks to a 4-6 to 0-12 win over University College Cork.

The host and the holders are expected to reach Sunday’s final and if this happens, it could prove to be a great final.

University of Limerick are expected to include Maria Walsh, sisters Lisa and Linda Bolger, Julia Walsh and Cáit Devane expected to feature strongly.

Waterford Institute of Technology are expected to be equally as strong and are able to call upon a number of last years panel including Katrina Parrock, Denise Gaule, Sarah Ann Fitzgerald, Trisha Jackman and Katie Power who they hope will have recovered from a recent injury.

In the Ashbourne Shield, University College Cork and University of Ulster Jordanstown who finished bottom of their respective groups in the league stages if the competition do battle in the final, where the Cork side would be expected to win.

Meanwhile, the Purcell Cup (Division 2) takes place this weekend in Limerick as well.

Holders Dublin City University take on Cork Institute of Technology in the second of Saturday’s semi finals and will be preceded by the meeting of National University of Ireland Maynooth and Mary Immaculate College.

The holders reached this year’s semi finals with wins over Mary Immaculate College and Dublin Institute of technology. National University of Ireland Maynooth qualified for the last four with wins over Cork Institute of Technology and Queens University Belfast.

Mary Immaculate College and Cork Institute of Technology qualified for the semi finals with wins over Dublin Institute of Technology and Queens University Belfast respectfully. The latter two will contest this year’s Purcell Shield having finished bottom of their respective groups in the league stages of the competition.

 

This weekend’s Fixture Semi Final details: (Saturday)

Ashbourne Cup: All games at University of Limerick.

University of Limerick Vs National University of Ireland Galway at 1pm

Waterford Institute of Technology Vs University College Dublin at 3pm

 

Purcell Cup: All Games at University of Limerick:

National University of Ireland Maynooth V Mary Immaculate College at 4-30pm

Dublin City College V Cork Institute of Technology at 6pm

 

Fr. Meachair Cup. All games at University of Limerick:

St Pats V Trinity College Dublin at 10am

Institute of Technology Carlow v Saint Mary’s at 11-30am.

 

Ashbourne Cup Shield Final (Sunday)

University College Cork V University of Ulster Jordanstown at 12-30pm

 

Purcell Cup Shield Final (Saturday)

Dublin Institute of Technology V Queens University Belfast at 2-30pm

 

Fr. Meachair Cup Shield Final (Saturday)

Athlone Institute of Technology V Institute of Technology Tralee at 12-30pm

 

Ashbourne Cup Final – Sunday at 4pm

Purcell Cup Final – Sunday at 2-30pm

 

Fr. Meachair Cup Final – Sunday at 10-30am