UL Claim Historic Jim Kennedy Cup Title

A devastating scoring display from UL corner forwards Niamh O’Dea and Aine Tighe proved too much for UCC to handle as the Limerick side captured the Jim Kennedy Cup on a 3-16 to 2-12 score line for the first time.

The twin threat ended the day with a haul of 2-10 as UCC minus a number of their starting team struggled to contain them.

UL were beaten finalists in 2012 to Cork but today they found their stride in the second quarter of the game and never looked back.

The first quarter was a tight affair with both sides level on four occasions. However, when Laura O’Sullivan intercepted a UCC pass on the 30M line her quick hand pass ended up with Aine Tighe on the edge of the square. Tighe made no mistake to give UL a significant lead of 1-4 to 0-4 after 16 minutes.

The next ten minutes were owned by UL as they went on to score 1-6 without reply. O’Dea, Tighe and Claire O’Sullivan all added scores but Tighe’s second goal was fortunate as it was dropped in under the bar from distance.

UCC struggled in particular to secure ball from their own kick out and on limited possession did well to finish the half strong.

Megan O’Connell drove her effort against the bar on the 24^th minute for UCC and deserved a goal but the rebound ended up with her Kerry teammate Ni Mhuircheartaigh who from 20M rifled to the net. UCC trailing 2-11 to 1-6 at the break.

Leonard and O’Dea had the lead out to ten points by the 40^th minute as UCC while more dominant struggled to get quick ball in. Instead it was left to Ni Mhuircheartaigh to gradually claw back the lead on frees and the Kerry girl was on fine form in this department. Heading into the final ten minutes UCC were still in sight on UL and despite being 8 points adrift were playing some of their best football.

However their hearts were to be broken when UL substitute Caroline McCarthy picked up a seemingly harmless ball 40M from goal but a stunning run and a rocket of an effort later ensured UL the title.

Niamh O’Dea won player of the game and with a haul of seven points of which five were from play. Her fellow corner forward Aine Tighe was to end with 2-3 and while it was the finishing that was vital much of the hard work had been done by a half forward line that spent the day opening gaps and linking play. Tierney and Keaney ensured that the UL door remained shut to UCC forwards.

The loss of Orlagh Farmer and Elaine Scally certainly did not help the UCC cause and may have robbed them of some attacking options but on the day Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh was well marshalled by Tierney most of the game but still was able to get free for two goals. She kept UCC in the game for long stages with her free taking. Jennifer Barry, Kelly Hackett, Marie Callaghan, Megan O’Connell and Doireann O’Sullivan all displayed an eagerness for the battle but on the day, it was not to be enough.

 

So with the Jim Kennedy Cup in the bag, UL will now turn thoughts to the O’Connor and for UCC they too will want to get back to winning ways quickly and will also turn their thoughts on the O’Connor Cup preliminary rounds

 

 Teams:

University College Limerick

J Kane, B McManus, S Tierney, L Ryan, J White 0-1, K Kearney, C Cooney, L Scanlon, J Grant, C O’Sullivan 0-3 , R Leonard 0-2 , L O’Sullivan, A Tighe 2-3, A Galvin, N O’Dea 0-7 (0-2F) Subs: C McCarthy 1-0, for J White (44) Siobhan Condon for C Cooney (54)

University College Cork

C Walsh, R Phelan, C Lynch, A Hickey, G Cashman, A Taylor, M O’Callaghan 0-1, J Barry, M O’Connell, D O’Sulivan 0-1, L Ni Mhuircheartaigh 2-7 (0-5F), K O’Dea, A Hayes, K Hackett, A O’Sullivan 0-1 Subs: T McGuire for A Hayes (41), M O’Callaghan 0-1 for K O’Dea, S O’Carroll 0-1 for K Hackett(45)

Referee: Michael Duffy (Tipperary)

 

By Donal Barry