Determined UL get past tough WIT challenge

UL 0-13 WIT 1-08 Ashbourne Cup

Hard work and pure determination carried UL over the line in Round 3 of the Ashbourne Cup last night as the UL women had a brilliant but tough win against a very strong WIT side 0-13 to 1-08.

Playing with the wind in the first half UL got off to a good start with a point in the first two minutes. This was soon cancelled out by a brilliant score by WIT against a strong gale.

It was very much pass the parcel in the first 20 minutes as UL and WIT shared point after point. One of them being a fantastic score by WIT in the 17th minute by wing forward Julie Mc Loughlin from the very corner.

WIT picked up momentum from this point as their centre field pairing of Kilkenny’s All Ireland player of the year and all star Julianne Malone and Cork’s Laura Treacy picking up a lot of posession in the middle of the field.

UL didn’t back down and registered two points within 5 minutes to leave the scores 0-06 WIT to 0-05 UL at half time.

UL came out after half time all guns blazing with a point from the strong full forward Beth Carton for UL levelled the teams at 35 minutes.

The Limerick side now had the momentum registering another two points in quick succession which left them three points ahead of WIT at 42 minutes 0-09 to 0-06.

Strong saves from the brilliant Roisin Breen who was sensational in goal throughout the game – saving UL many times – helped spur the team on as well but there was nothing she could do when WIT’s Aine Gannon came flying through the UL defence to score a fine goal.

UL took this in their stride. With brilliant defence along the half back line by Ereena Fryday and Caoimhe Maher UL did not sit back and pushed the sliotar further up the field.

A free by Beth Carton who was on great form throughout the match put UL two points up with over 10 minutes to play.

WIT did try and get back into the game with a fine free from Denise Goule but there was nothing they could do as they conceded a free to UL in the 56th minute of the match which put UL two up once again.

They needed a goal but there was no room through the UL defence who were immaculate all evening.
The game finished up UL 0-13 WIT 1-8.

UL will go on to play in Round 4 of the Ashbourne Cup in two weeks time.

Player of the Match: It could have gone to any of the UL half-back line or the brilliant full forward Beth Carton or Patrice Diggin who was also brilliant throughout the game but Ereena Fryday’s hardwork around the midfield area and half back line was immense. She worked hard for every ball and never gave up especially after WIT scored the goal. A truly inspirational leader on the pitch.

UL: Roisin Breen, Ciannait Walsh, Laura McMahon, Clare Hehir, Eimear Kelly, Caoimhe Maher, Niamh Ryan, Ereena Fryday, Patrice Diggin, Aoife Keane, Niamh Hanniffy, Roisin Howard, Caoimhe Lyons, Beth Carton, Aoife McGrath. Subs: Aisling McCarthy, Lisa Gorman.

WIT: Anne Marie Lennon, Aisling Brennan, Ellen Roche, Sarah Crowley, Emma Coffey, Denise Gaule, Jenny Logue, Laura Treacy, Julianne Malone, Joanne Dillon, Kate McMahon, Aine Gannon, Julie McLoughlin, Sarah Anne Quinlan, Lorraine Bray. Subs: Laura Hegarty, Valerie O’Brien.

Subs: Laura Hegarty, Valerie O’Brien.