DCU capture OConnor Cup

  • Mar 21,2011

Dublin City University won the prestigious OConnor Cup for a third successive year in dramatic fashion at blustery University of Limerick on Sunday.

DCU scored a 3-08 to 1-11 victory against University of Ulster, Jordanstown in an entertaining final but UUJ missed a penalty in the dying seconds when a goal would have taken the game into extra-time.

In the sixth minute of stoppage time, full-forward Aoife McDonnell saw her effort comfortably saved by DCU goalkeeper Becky Walsh and within seconds, referee Sean Joy blew his full-time whistle.

Star-studded DCU scored two goals in the first six minutes of the second half which changed the complexion of the game after UUJ had led by 1-05 to 1-04 at the end of a closely-fought first half.

Lyndsey Davey took a pass from the outstanding Ciara McAnespie for DCUs first half goal in the 14th minute before UUJs top scorer Sinead Fegan responded with a 21st minute goal, pouncing at the second attempt after Walsh had saved the Down players initial effort.

Three minutes after half-time, Monaghans McAnespie sisters combined for DCUs second goal as Ciara, who scored 1-03 from play in total, supplied a clinical finish.

Three minutes later, Cavans Roisin OKeeffe scored DCUs third goal as her shot looped over the head of UUJ goalkeeper Emma Kelly and into the net.

DCU now led by 3-05 to 1-05 before a run of five unanswered points brough UUJ back to within a point of the winners.

DCU lost corner back Sinead OMahony to a 46th minute sin-binning but crucially, the Glasnevin-based outfit outscored UUJ by two points to one with OMahony off the pitch.

Ciara McAnespie scored a sensational point in the first minute of stoppage time, robbing UUJ corner back Niamh McGowan 50 yards from goal before embarking on a weaving run which ended in a classy point.

But even with a three-point lead and defending superbly, DCU were never safe until the final whistle and they survived that late scare when Down forward McDonnell fluffed her lines.

Meanwhile, Waterford IT made up for last years final defeat at the hands of NUI Maynooth with a 1-08 to 1-06 victory against IT Tralee in the Giles Cup final.

WITs top scorer Marie Dargan and ITTs Aoife Dillane traded first half goals as the sides went in level at half-time, 1-04 apiece.

Dargan scored two second half points to bring her personal tally to 1-3 as WIT outscored ITT by 0-04 to 0-02 in an entertaining second half.

Meanwhile, second half goals from Grainne Callery and Katie Geoghan proved decisive as Carlow IT defeated DCUs second string by 2-11 to 1-03 in the Lynch Cup final.

Galways Catriona Foley scored the first half goal for DCU as they went in level at half-time, 1-03 to 0-06, but Carlow IT held their opponents scoreless in the second half and hit 2-5 to take the title.

In Saturdays enthralling Lynch Shield final, Dublin Institute of Technology ran riot in extra-time to see off the challenge of Athlone IT.

DIT won by double scores - 4-16 to 2-08 - as Jane Dolan (2) and Colleen Brierly scored the extra-time goals, after the sides were deadlocked at 1-11 to 2-08 after 60 minutes.

Athlone IT failed to register a score in extra-time

Story courtesy of Jackie Cahill

Pictures courtesy of Sportsfile