UL claim record 12th O’Connor Cup victory

On Saturday, the University of Limerick made history when they won their record 12th O’Connor Cup at the expense of UCD in Grangegorman winning 2-16 to 1-10.

Second half goals courtesy of Fiona McHale and Hannah O’Donoghue would prove crucial for the Limerick college.

Mayo’s Emma Needham would open the scoring for UL in the second minute with Limerick dual star Rebecca Delee adding thier second shortly after.

UCD replied in turn with Áine McDonagh scorer in chief.

However, Cork’s Eimear Scally, captain of the UL side began to find her rhythm and helped her side into a 0-9 to 0-5 lead at the half.

McDonagh reduced the deficit to three on the resumption but that would be as good as it got for the Dublin college as UL began to assert their control.

McHale’s goal half way through the second period pushed the Limerick side 1-13 to 0-8 ahead with the game UL’s to lose.

UCD did battle to their credit with McDonagh finishing the day with six points to her name.

However, nothing was to stop UL with O’Donoghue’s goal late on sealing the victory.

For Delee it capped off a superb College double as she added an O’Connor Cup medal to her Ashbourne Cup medal won last month.