There was more drama in the Ashbourne Cup as TU Dublin were crowned Ashbourne Cup Champions for the first time in their history after a last minute free from Antrim’s Roisin McCormick in the depths of added time of the extra time period.
The battle between the colleges was always nail-bitingly close and McCormick had already brought the game to extra time with a last-minute free before the full time whistle blew to make it 0-8 to 0-8.
Ultimately, it was heartbreak for the UCC side when McCormick showed nerves of steel again as she slotted her team's winning score over the bar from close to the sideline and TU Dublin were the elated side with a final score of 1-11 to UCC's 13 points.
@ElectricIreland Camogie Ashbourne Cup Final
Roisin McCormick’s last minute free wins TUD the Ashbourne Cup!@TUDublinCCGAA 1-11@ucc_gaa 0-13
Watch live: https://t.co/Ky0PRFrGdT#FirstClassRivals pic.twitter.com/9xReSKURzg— Electric Ireland (@ElectricIreland) February 12, 2023
This ending comes following a dramatic few days in the Ashbourne Cup, with defending champions UL being eliminated in extraordinary circumstances.
The Limerick team had played Maynooth in their final game of the group stages which required a win to draw level on points with DCU and TUD. Competition rules stated that score difference would ultimately determine who would qualify for the semi-finals.
'How can we go from being congraulated on reaching the semi-finals to then finding out we are elimiated 3 days before the semis'@ULCamogie2023 seek hearing after being controversially eliminated from semi-finals following a retrospective points change.https://t.co/WXZzkJlBgJ
— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) February 10, 2023
UL released a statement stating they had recieved confirmation from the CCAO of the standings prior to their meeting with Maynooth which they won by an incredible 34 points. However, they were told thereafter by the CCAO that a mistake had been made and they were eliminated.
In their statement they said “a question was raised by DCU about the score difference, importantly not before but after our match with Maynooth, although they had been made officially aware of the scores and possible outcomes in the week leading up to the UL and Maynooth fixture.”
The question raised related to the score line of a match between DCU and Maynooth which had taken place on November 29th.
"CCAO have confirmed to us that no official appeal was sent in,” the statement continues. “Despite receiving no official appeal, the CCAO kicked the matter up to the THDC (the national camogie hearings committee).
“At no point were UL asked for a submission by either the CCAO or the THDC explaining the situation. In fact we were kept in the dark and had to ask what was happening before (we) were told that the matter had been moved up to the THDC.
"We have no idea what information the THDC used to come to their decision as it was not shared with us.”
UL say they were informed, via a “one line email” from the THDC that they were eliminated and that DCU would be advancing to the semi-finals.
We came to UCD today looking for an answer as to why we were forced to watch instead of play. Disappointing that nobody from the CCAO took time to meet us, acknowledge our situation, or indeed apologise. @3rdLevelCamogie @OfficialCamogie pic.twitter.com/LeGDkuYi9z
— ULAshbournePanel (@ULCamogie2023) February 11, 2023
"As a result 28 girls who have given unbelievable dedication and commitment to their campaign will miss out on the chance to play in a national semi final without any explanation as to why and no opportunity to plead their case."
The CCAO released a short statement in response which read: "UL appeal was considered by National Final Appeals Committee and the recommendation of THDC was upheld."
CCAO Statement:
UL appeal was considered by National Final Appeals Committee and the recommendation of THDC was upheld.— Electric Ireland Third Level Camogie (@3rdLevelCamogie) February 11, 2023
R Atkinson; C Shanahan, R Brennan, L Robinson; C Gannon, N Gannon, A Heffernan; G Couch, N Manogue; N Keeneghan, E Young; K Finnegan; M Dowdall, R Mc Cormick, S Barcoe.
S Daly for E Young (43), A Heffernan for S Barcoe (h-t), J Moore for G Couch (76).
M Dowdall 1-3, R McCormack 0-5 (0-2 f, 0-1 45), K Finnegan, C Gannon, S Daly 0-1 each.
M Lynch; R McCarthy, C Carroll, M Murphy; M Ring, A Healy, A Cashman; C O'Leary, E Heffernan; O Kelleher, L Hayes, E Murphy, S O'Brien, C Finn, K Blaire.
I Sheehan for A Cashman (39), R Conway for C Blaire (40), M Barrett for C Heffernan (48), L Leenane for C Finn (52), C Finn for O Kelleher (68).
C O'Leary 0-6 (0-5 f), C Finn, L Hayes 0-3 each, S O'Brien 0-1.
Over in the other divisions of the Electric Ireland Third Level Camogie Championship, UCD were crowned Fr Meaghair Champions with their win over Queen's University Belfast with a final score of 1-8 to 9 points and Eabha Farrell picking up the Player of the Match award.
Electric Ireland FrMeaghair Champions 2023: University College Dublin
POTM: Eabha Farrell pic.twitter.com/3KhGtIYX2V— Electric Ireland Third Level Camogie (@3rdLevelCamogie) February 12, 2023
In the Purcell Cup, Munster Technological University overcame the University of Galway 2-10 to 12 points with MTU Captain and Player of the Match Saoirse McCarthy collecting the trophy for her college.
Electric Ireland Purcell Cup Champions 2023: MTU Cork
POTM: Saoirse McCarthy
Commiserations Galway@ElectricIreland #FirstClassRivals pic.twitter.com/RqDSkGUtAu— Electric Ireland Third Level Camogie (@3rdLevelCamogie) February 12, 2023
In the Ashling Murphy Cup Final, Ulster University Magee beat ATU Sligo with a final score of 2-4 to 7 points with Magee goalkeeper Máiread Comer picking up the Player of the Match award.
Your 2023 Ashling Murphy Champions: @MageeGAA
POTM: Mairead Comer
Commiserations to ATU Sligo for a spirited performance.
Out of breathe but onto the Ui Mhaolagain final #FirstClassRivals pic.twitter.com/SR9NEXM7n0— Electric Ireland Third Level Camogie (@3rdLevelCamogie) February 10, 2023
