UCC hold all the Ashbourne aces

THE CREAM of Ireland’s camogie talent will be in action in this weekend’s prestigious Ashbourne Cup, hosted by UCC.

Cathriona Foley, who captained Cork to All Ireland glory in September, will lead the UCC challenge, along with her inter-county team-mate Orla Cotter, Tipp players Jill Horan and Aoife McLoughney and Kilkenny’s Amy Butler.

They meet 2008 beaten finalists WIT in Saturday’s semi-final and they will look to Wexford star Ursula Jacob. Her return of 1-7 in last year’s semi-final ensured a premature exit for UCC. She will be supported by Kilkenny duo Keeva Fennelly and Ann Dalton, while Therese Shortt from the Premier County will lend her inter-county experience to the side.

Foley is excited about UCC’s chances. “We played well enough in the quarter-final and we hope we can continue our form. There is so much talent out there, so we will take nothing for granted.”

UCC’s chances are further boosted by a strong backroom team of current Cork inter-county players like Aoife Murray and Mary O’Connor.

Favourites and Cup holders UCD travel south in fine form. Ashbourne player of the tournament from last year Susie O’Carroll (Kildare) lines out with Cork star Rena Buckley who will face with her county colleagues.

Said Buckley “We’re looking forward to the weekend with four very good teams in the semi-finals. We’re up against CIT so we’re focusing on that match first. We’re hoping to get into the final and as everyone knows anything can happen in a final.”

Sisters Una and Mary Lacey (Wexford) make this formidable UCD side Cup favourites in their bid for three-in-a-row. The Dubliners take on underdogs CIT, who will rely on Tipperary’s Julie McGrath, as well as Eimear O’Sullivan, Michelle Browne and Charlotte Kearney.

In the Ashbourne Shield, NUIG take on Garda College Saturday afternoon followed by UUJ vs UL.

Fixtures: Saturday: UCC v Waterford IT, 1.30pm (E Browne); UCD v Cork IT, 3.15 (C Egan).

Ashbourne Shield: NUIG v Garda College 1.30pm (O Webb), UUJ V UL, 3.15pm (J Morrissey).

Sunday:- Ashbourne Cup final, Páirc Uí Rinn, 3.30 (E Browne).

Ashbourne Shield final, UCC Farm, 1.15 (C Egan).