HEC Division 1 League semi finals previews

The HEC Division 1 League semi finals begin today with Queens and UL coming face to face with a place in the final at stake. The second semi final takes place tomorrow when DCU and UCC battle it out for the other spot in the final.

 

Group winners from the southern section, UL, come into the semi final on the back of 3 wins and have been recording high scores in all games to date with the Prolific Niamh O’Dea leading the line from full forward with Leitrim All star nominee Aine Tighe playing great football from centre half forward. UL manager DJ Collins has added Mayo star and former DCU player Fiona Mchale to his coaching set up and things seem to be going well for UL.

 

Queens have appointed Armagh Ladies manager James Daly who seems to have the Midas touch having already guided Queens to their first Fresher 7’s win over a month ago. They have a lovely blend of youth and experience with Armagh’s outstanding footballer Sinead McCleary leading the charges from centre half back while up front the attacking skills of antrim’s Mairead Cooper and Tyrone’s Aine Canavan have caused teams problems so far.

 

In the second semi final Dublin’s DCU will have a big test against UCC in Clann na Gael. DCU qualified as group winners after a convincing final round win over old rivals UUJ and edged out city rivals UCD to take the other semi spot alongside QUB, they have coped well this season after losing manger Peter Clarke after 9 seasons. New manager, Mark Fitzpatrick, moved quickly and has secured the coaching services of ex UUJ coach John Downey. They have a well balanced team and have two Monaghan stars in Laura McEnaney and Ellen McCarron leading the charge alongside Mayo’s Cliodhna McHugh and Leona Ryder.

 

UCC, the reigning O’Connor Cup champions, will feature no fewer than 4 All Stars including Cait Lynch and Louise Ni Mhuireartaigh of Kerry and Valerie Mulcahy and Ciara O’Sullivan of Cork. Add in the likes of Orla Farmer from All Ireland Champions, Cork, Aoife Lyons from Kerry and Samantha Lambert of Tipperary and you have a very high quality line up and under the expert tutelage of Shane Royane they play a lovely free flowing game.

 

There are two great games in prospect with places in the final up for grabs