WATCH | UL retain O’Connor Cup in thriller while Mary I pick up Giles Cup honours

The Limerick colleges made it a weekend to remember in DCU with their wins over UCC and TUD respectively.

UL are O’Connor Cup champions for the fifth time since 2014 after they successfully defended their crown against a determined UCC side on Saturday afternoon.

They followed in the triumph of Mary I, who were crowned the Giles Cup champions earlier in the day with TUS MidWest winning the Lagan Cup last week, making it a very successful March for Limerick colleges.

In the big one, UL were made to work for their 0-12 to 0-11 win despite leading by as many as eight points in the first half.

Erone Fitzpatrick opened the scoring with captain Fiadhna Tangney doubling their efforts inside the opening minute.

With the aid of a strong wind, it was one way traffic with UL leading 0-8 to 0-0 at the waterbreak, Tagney hitting 0-4 of that total.

Sadhbh Leahy got UCC off the mark in the 22nd minute as they kicked four of the last six scores in th second quarter to trail 0-10 to 0-4 at the interval.

UL led by six with a quarter of an hour to play but five on the bounce from the Cork college had arrears back to one with time running out.

But despite having chances, they could not find the leveller as UL claimed a 13th ever title with Limerick captain Roisin Ambrose starring at centre back.

Mary Immaculate College booked their place in the 2022 O’Connor Cup as they saw off TUD 3-8 to 1-9 in the Giles Cup decider.

Daire Kiely set the final alight inside five minutes with a terrific goal to put Mary I 1-1 to 0-1 to the good after the sides exchanged early scores.

But TUD were level at 1-1 to 0-4 after thirteen, taking the lead two minutes later which they maintained to the first waterbreak.

On the restart, TU Dublin stretched their lead from the penalty spot. But the Limerick’s sides response was emphatic as they hit 1-3 on the bounce to restore their lead prior to the half with Katie Cunningham hitting the net.

Mary I limited the Dublin outfit to just one score in the third quarter, as Kate Stack hit the net with a superb effort.

From here, Mary I were able to keep their opponents at arms length to secure the coveted title.

Watch both finals in full below.

2022 Yoplait O’Connor Cup Final

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2022 Yoplait Giles Cup Final

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