Waterford IT host third level camogie showpiece

WATERFORD IT will host this year’s Ashbourne Cup, the oldest camogie competition in existence.

The JJ Kavanagh sponsored event takes place this weekend.

A strong NUIG go into the Shield semi-final having narrowly lost to the hosts WIT in the Cup quarter-final. With players of the calibre of Susan Earner, Sinead Keane, Laura Linnane and Deirdre Murphy, they will be strongly fancied to win the Shield.

But Mary Immaculate College will also fancy their chances and they can call on the likes of Tipp star Claire Grogan and Moira Mc Mahon of Clare.

WIT and last year’s beaten finalists UCD will be battling it out for a place in the cup final. The latter are a much stronger outfit with the addition of Wexford Allstar Mary Lacey along with Emily Dermody and Catherine O’Loughlin.

WIT will have a number of their victorious Freshers team in their side. Waterford are captained by Patricia O’Halloran of Tipperary and have a well balanced outfit in Helen Breen, Ger Kinnane, the Jacob sisters of Wexford and Susan Keane of Galway.

UCC will be very keen to avenge their defeat at the same stage last year when they meet holders UL. With players of the calibre of Tipp’s Jill Horan, Kilkenny’s Lizzie Lyng and Elaine Aylward and Cork stars Rachel Maloney, Joanne O Callaghan and Emer Dillion, UCC will fancy their chances.

However, holders UL are in great form having defeated UUJ by 3-21 to 0-3 in the quarter final. And they will start as firm favourites to retain their title.

They have an abundance of talent in Jeanette Feighery of Offaly, Galway stars Orla Kilkenny and Aishling Connolly, Kilkenny’s Edel Maher, Aoife Sheehan and Meadhbh Nash of Granagh/Ballingarry in Limerick.

Fixtures:

Sat, Feb 19: Shield semi-final: Mary Immaculate College v NUIG, Waterford Crystal Sports Centre, 11.30am

Cup semi-final: UCD V WIT, Ballygunner GAA Grounds, Waterford, 12.30pm.

Shield semi-final: UUJ v CIT, De La Salle GAA Grounds, 1pm.

Cup semi-final: UCC v UL, De La Salle GAA Grounds, 2.30pm.

Sun Feb 20: 1pm Shield final

2.30pm: Cup final. Both games at Ballygunner GAA Grounds.