UCC were crowned Division 1 league champions
31st March 2006UCC were crowned Division 1 league champions after a nail-biting finish to last Wednesday’s final in Ballypickas, Co Laois. The Cork college shaded it over a brave UCD side, also runners-up in the Ashbourne Cup, after extra time to leave the scores at UCC 1-13, UCD 0-13.
An excellent standard of camogie was on display as both teams exchanged points throughout the game. Though UCD had the majority of possession in the first half, UCC stayed with them and the halftime score was 0-5 each. UCC’s attacking game impressed, with each of their six forwards and both midfielders scoring from play. The closing stages of the game were played in rapidly fading light, leaving the game finished at 0-12 apiece.
Because of the poor visibility, it was agreed that extra time would last no more than seven minutes a half. At the break, the sides remained level; however, Emilie Darmody scored a point immediately after the break, putting UCD one ahead. UCC quickly equalised. Then, three minutes before the end, came the final, decisive score of the game: UCC’s Anne Browne hit a ground shot that wound up in the Dublin side’s net, separating the sides by a goal.
This was a fine conclusion to the Division 1 league with both sides giving their all. UCC’s Rachel Moloney was tireless at midfield, with Lizzie Lyng impressing at centre forward, while Emilie Darmody and Deirdre Corcoran made good contributions for UCD.
UCC: Brid Aylward; Jennifer Browne, Cathriona Foley, Julie Conran; Clodagh Deasy, Joanne O’Callaghan, Amy Butler; Rachel Moloney 0-5 (0-4 F), Therese Muldowney 0-1; Claire Aylward 0-2, Lizzie Lyng 0-1, Miriam Frisby 0-2; Colette Desmond 0-1, Sarah O’Donovan 0-1, Anne Browne 1-0.
UCD: Sharon O’Shaughnessy; Catriona Phelan, Deirdre Corcoran, Sharon Daly; Ciara Lucey, Mary Leacy 0-2, Fiona Connolly; Rena Buckley 0-3, Louise Mahoney 0-1; Mary Murtagh, Mary Welsh, Clodagh Flanagan; Aoife Maron, Suzy O’Carroll 0-3, Emilie Darmody 0-4 (0-2 F).