waterford

Over the weekend of the 16th/17th of February, the NUIG Camogie team traveled to Cork to compete in the prestigious Ashbourne Cup competition. NUIG had qualified for the Cup semi-final for the first time in a number of years, by virtue of their five point victory over Athlone IT two weeks earlier. Defending champions, and great rivals Waterford IT would be the opponents following their facile victory over St. Mary�s of Belfast in the qualifying round.

In front of the large crowd that had gathered at St. Finbarrs grounds in Cork City, Galway got off to a dream start with a goal from wing forward Lourda Kavanagh after just over a minute. A pointed free from the same player saw NUIG enjoy an early lead, but Waterford soon replied with a point of their own. Lizzy Glennon scored a fine point before Waterford came to life with a goal from close range. A Kavanagh free was followed by an excellent goal from Lizzy Glennon, who held off two defenders before hand passing to the net. Further Waterford points saw the half time score read; NUIG 2:03 Waterford IT 1:07

NUIG signaled their intent from the outset after the interval, with two points from Lourda Kavanagh including a superb effort from midfield. Both teams exchanged points with Galway�s scores coming from Maria Cribben and Kavanagh before games pivotal moment; Waterford forward Kate Kelly found space in front of the Galway goal and her shot found the net despite the best efforts of Linda McRedmond in the Galway goal. With just three points between the teams, NUIG really applied the pressure in the closing stages. Nicola Donnelly�s shot at goal looked certain to find the net, but the Waterford custodian somehow managed to deflect the ball over the crossbar to deny NUIG the equalizing score they so richly deserved.

Final score; NUIG 2:08 Waterford It 2:10

There was, however, some consolation for NUIG when three players were selected on the Combined Colleges Panel ; Deirdre Murphy, Lourda Kavanagh and Susan Regan. The team is still involved in the latter stages of the league, due to be played over the coming weeks.