UL face reigning champions UCD in Collingwood Cup final

The Limerick college are hoping to upset the odds against the record holders in their bid for a maiden Collingwood Cup triumph.

The University of Limerick take on UCD in the Irish Universities Collingwood Cup this afternoon at 4pm in Inver Park, Larne as they aim for a first-ever title.

It is the first of a unique day of finals for the college with the senior footballers in the Sigerson Cup final this evening. Both are seeking maiden titles.

The Limerick college booked their place in the final of the premier third-level soccer competition on Tuesday afternoon with a one-goal win over Maynooth University.

Adam Foley grabbed the all-important goal for the Castletroy outfit in the 68th as they kept their opponents at bay to move back into the final for the first time since 2019. Foley is the sole survivor from that team four years ago.

UL kicked off their campaign on Tuesday afternoon with a 2-1 win over 2020 champions DCU, Foley giving them the lead before David McCarthy doubled the advantage. The Dublin college did find the net late on but it wasn’t enough.

Thursday’s decider is a repeat of the 2016 final where record holders UCD claimed a 46th title with a 2-1 win in the Mardyk. Limerick took the lead through Garbhan Coughlan but were pegged half by a second-half double.

UCD reclaimed their title in 2018 and come into the game as the defending champions after beating Queen’s University 2-1 in last April’s decider in Oriel Park. The reigning champions were dominant in their semi-final win, cruising past UCC with a 4-0 victory yesterday. That followed an incredible 10-0 win against Ulster University in their quarter-final tie.

The Dublin side will be favored to move within one of 50 titles in the 109 year history of the competition but UL have been knocking at the door over the last decade and will fancy their chances of causing an upset.

UL take on UCD in the Irish Universities Collingwood Cup final this Wednesday at 4pm in Inver Park, Larne.