The Division 3 side were the first game on the timetable this weekend. Their opposition, Limerick, who are always tough opponents, travelled to the Mardyke in the Division 3 Munster League. In their last meeting it was a 2-2 draw. With only 11 on the bench for Limerick compared to 18 on the UCC side, the students were hopeful going into this game. UCC got off to a good start with goals from Aoife Moloney and Kirsten Browne. They held this lead at half time. 2-0. Limerick had some dogged players and played hard until they scored in Q3. This woke the students up a bit and Kirsten Browne scored her second giving them some breathing space. 3-1. The Limerick side replied in Q3 with a cracker of a shot from the edge of the circle. 3-2. Limerick continued to press looking for an equaliser but UCC hung in there and maintained their lead until the final whistle. Final score 3-2. The Division 3 side are in 4 ^th place on 24 points, 2 points behind C of I and with a game in hand. With 4 games remaining it is all to play for with a chance of a play off game for promotion to Division 2 if everything goes their way. 

 

Division 1

The Division 1 side welcomed Ards to the Mardyke for their EYHL2 game at 1pm. The teams last met up north in January with UCC getting full points and a 2-0 win. UCC got off to a good start with a goal from Abi O'Mahony in Q1. Julia McCarthy made it 2-0 with a goal in the 2 ^nd quarter from a short corner. Abi O'Mahony got her second goal before half time with a deflection from a Jane Murphy shot. 3-0. Ards did come close early in the 2 ^nd half but it was tipped away by goalkeeper, Laurna McHugh. A fourth goal for the students came when the UCC side broke down an Ards attack, a steal by Robyn Murphy and a pass to Emma O'Sullivan made it 4-0. The Northern side were up against it but battled on and were awarded a penalty stroke in Q3 which they slotted home, 4-1. The final quarter was goaless. Final score 4-1. This puts UCC at the top of the EYHL2 B Group on 25 points. In the other group Cork Harlequins and Belfast Harlequins will play each other Saturday 2 ^nd March in Quins 12.45pm. It is an interesting few weeks ahead to see who plays who in the quarter and semi finals. 

 

 

The students had to turn around less than 24 hours later and play Ashton in the Munster Senior Cup Semi Final on Sunday.  It was end to end stuff and goals galore. Abi O Mahony opened the scoring in the first minute  for UCC. Ashton replied soon after with a drag flick from a penalty corner. Emma O'Sullivan scored a lovely goal for the college side just before half time and also enough time for Ashton to score through Eabha Curran, 2-2 HT. Ashton took the lead in Q3 with a shot from a penalty corner. Abi O'Mahony scored her second and Jenny McLaughlin scored to make it 4-3 at the end of Q3. Ashton battled it out but time was not on their side and they failed to equalise. FT 4-3. UCC, defending champions, will play Cork Harlequins in the Munster Senior Cup on Patrick's Day, a replay of last year's final.

 

Division 5

The Division 5 side played in the top of the table clash against Crescent on Sunday at 2pm. UCC needed a win to give themselves every chance to be promoted to Division 4. The students made no mistake putting 4 goals away against the Limerick side, with only 1 from them. Goals were scored by Isabel O'Leary,  Sarah Dillon and the club's top goal scorer Trudy O'Loughlin (2). With 2 games to play the team won't know their fate until the end of the league. Top of the table means promotion but a 2 ^nd place finish may lead to a play off game depending on higher leagues and how they finish. Fingers crossed !

 

Division 2

The weekend finished off with the Division 2 side playing Cork Wanderers in Blackrock on Sunday evening under lights. Wisdom versus age was the story of the day. A good goalkeeping display from the Cork Wanderers goalkeeper kept the students out for most of the game. Cork Wanderers went 1-0 up from a corner in Q3, a straight shot and a deflection into the net. Cork Wanderers are in relegation territory so a win for them was crucial. The students didn't give up and in the dying seconds were awarded a short corner. Rachel Kiernan got the ball over the line giving them a point from their encounter. The UCC side have 2 games to play and lying in 2 ^nd place. Catholic Institute are 10 points ahead and can't be caught. 

 

The club would like to wish the Division 2 side the very best of luck this Saturday when they take on Pegasus in the Irish Junior Cup Semi Final at the Mardyke, tip off 1pm.

 

Fixtures

Saturday

Div 3 10.30am Mardyke UCC v C of I, Munster League

Div 1 Muckross V UCC, EYHL2

Div 2 1pm Mardyke UCC v Pegasus, Irish Junior Cup

 

It is less than 2 weeks to the Pre Match Lunch on the 9 ^th March. Tickets have sold well with a few remaining tickets left. If you would like to purchase a ticket click on the link 

 

https://clubsportal.ucc.ie/shop/?id=MTA0MA%3D%3D

 

On a final note the club would like to especially congratulate one of our coaches, Reece Hawtrey, who coached the St Angela's side who won the Munster Schoolgirls Senior Cup last Wednesday. It has been 51 years since the school last won this competition. They beat Crescent 1-0 in a thrilling final. Well done to Reece and the team.