UL bidding for three-in-a-row

THE University of Limerick is camogie's Mecca this weekend. The finals of the Ashbourne Cup and Plate are being played in this sports-mad city and the hosts have high expectations.

Though only admitted to camogie's premier third-level competition in 1994, UL quickly established themselves among the elite, claiming their first title a year later with a team captained by Cork star Fiona O'Driscoll.

This weekend, the side captained by Offaly's Sheila O'Sullivan goes for the college's first three-in-a-row.

O'Sullivan typifies all that's best about college sport. From a junior club (Birr) in a county that operates only at junior level in the All-Ireland camogie championship series, she nevertheless finds herself in the company of some of camogie's finest. It is some achievement and one which is all the sweeter for being so unlikely.

"This is probably the biggest competition I'll be given a chance to play in," she says.

"The junior All-Ireland wouldn't have the same calibre of players, so to play with and against girls from Cork, Tipperary, Galway, is a great opportunity. I played in the last two title wins, which was fantastic, but being captain is a great honour."

She reels off some of the marquee names competing, starting with those from Cork, the senior All-Ireland camogie champions.

"Mary Buckley, Jenny O'Leary, Angela Walsh, Gina O'Sullivan, Anna Geary, Roisin Corcoran, Emer and Amanda O'Regan; then from Galway we have Aisling Connolly, Deirdre Burke, Fiona Page, Caroline Kelly, Caitriona Cahalane and Sarah Derval."

Throw in a few Tipp girls, Siobhan Ryan, Joanne Nolan, Anne O'Dwyer and Limerick's Aoife Sheehan and you have a potent mix.

First up for the hosts, (at noon today), is a bout with fierce southern rivals, UCC, (UCD and WIT meet at 2pm in the other cup semi-final; in the Plate, it's CIT v NUIG and Mary I v UCD).

For Fiona O'Driscoll, it is an occasion of mixed emotions.

"Of course I want UL to win," she says, favouring her alma mater, "but the Cork girls with UCC (seven from the All-Ireland team) won't be too happy with that!"

Fiona's achievement with UL was tinged with irony. She had dreamed of playing for UCC, but was attracted to UL because of a superb PE and Sports Science programme. At the time, however, UL wasn't allowed participate in the Ashbourne and was confined to the Purcell Cup.

"Elitism," says Neasa O'Donnell, Sports Administrator at UL and two-time Purcell winner.

"But we're there now, having shown our colours over the years. Going for the three-in-a-row is huge for the university, and it's all down to the commitment of the girls, very strong management, good quality coaching, and the right attitude overall."

Says Fiona: "The most important thing now is that it doesn't matter what third-level college you go to, you have an opportunity to play Gaelic Games at the highest level. The restructuring of camogie in recent years is allowing people the chance to compete at their own level, with a realistic chance of winning a national championship. There used to be only two cup competitions in camogie, now there are four."

The Ashbourne remains the pinnacle for camogie players at this level. Players will only get three or four attempts at it, so each opportunity must be cherished and grasped.