Dublin City University (DCU) 2-12
University of Limerick (UL) 0-17
Emma Duffy reports from Abbotstown
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AISHLING Moloney swung over a sensational late winner as Dublin City University edged UL to be crowned Gourmet Food Parlour O’Connor Cup champions for the first time since 2011.
There was just a single point in the difference at Abbotstown, and fittingly it was skipper Moloney who settled a gripping tie in the dying seconds.
The Tipperary ace finished with 0-7 to her name, while goals from Cavan’s Aisling Sheridan and Mayo’s Sarah Rowe helped the Dublin college past the holders to victory.
Cork sharpshooter Eimear Scally bagged 0-11 at the other end, while Grace Kelly and Shauna Howley hit 0-3 apiece.
But ultimately, DCU did just enough to seal the win in a fiery affair.
Even when reduced to 14 with Moloney sent to the sin-bin, they withstood a period of dominance from UL, which saw Scally’s pristine free-taking to the fore.
It was UL who drew first blood through Mayo’s Grace Kelly before DCU showed their intent immediately at the other end, Moloney getting the ball rolling.
As the sides settled into the encounter, the vicious speed and tempo was evident from the get-go.
The first goal of the game came with 16 minutes on the clock — Mayo forward Niamh Kelly’s effort dropped short, but Sheridan bundled the ball over the line following a scramble to make it 1-3 to 0-3.
Kelly and her sister, Grace, exchanged points moments after, as they went head-to-head for the first time ever.
As half time approached, Scally kept frees ticking over while Rowe closed proceedings at the break with the score reading 1-7 to 0-7.
On the restart, UL raised the tempo with Fiona McHale and Louise Ward working hard around the middle. And just as Moloney was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Laurie Ryan, they started to claw their way on top.
Scally’s expert kicking from frees continued while Howley produced two stunning efforts to swing the momentum in their favour.
But then came Moloney back to the field after her 10-minute stint in the bin. Straight into the thick of the action, she was involved in the attack which resulted in a DCU penalty.
Rowe stepped up to find the back of the net despite Caoimhe Moore getting her fingertips to it, and the same player added a point straight after.
Scally levelled matters at the other end directly after, but it took a moment of magic from Moloney at the death to ensure the O’Connor Cup would head to DCU.
Scorers for DCU: Aishling Moloney 0-7 (3f), Sarah Rowe 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), Aisling Sheridan 1-1, Niamh Kelly 0-1.
Scorers for UL: Eimear Scally 0-11 (10f), Grace Kelly & Shauna Howley 0-3 each.
DCU: E Ní Eafa; L McGinley, K Murray, D Geaney; E Rutledge, L Caffrey, H Hegarty; M Atkinson, L Magee; N Kelly, A Moloney, V Wall; A Sheridan, S Rowe, A Cleary.
Subs: A Murphy for V Wall (47), N Rickard for Rutledge (58)
UL: C Moore; A Kelleher, M Curley, S Murphy; L Ryan, A Healy, F McHale; L Ward, S Kelly; S Howley, L Rogers, A McCarthy; R Howard, E Scally, G Kelly.
Subs: A Davoren for Howard (h.t.), O O’Dwyer for Healy (h.t.), A Considine for Kelleher (48), J Cregg for McCarthy (54).
You actually answered your own question there. The answer is support..through think and thin. Through ups and downs. That is what a real supporter does
Well done connacht.
Brilliant performance. Particularly second half into a gale. Pure passion. Would’ve been be very sad to see them not win a game in the pool.
Well done Connacht- a victory of heart over wallet! A determined and committed team that deserve a lot more success! Also great that 3 provinces are through- and as an Ulster man thanks for that ;D Eiré abú!
YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D
Three times as many Irish teams as other home nations i believe in Q F’s
Home nations? What home is that horse? Home of what exactly? Feck off to the BBC with your “home nations” boyo.
Thumbs down all you want, but anyone using the term “home nations” can only be a west brit.
From Wikipedia: Home Nations is a collective term with one of two meanings depending on the context. Politically, it means the nations of the constituent countries
of the United Kingdom
(England
, Northern Ireland
,Scotland
and Wales
). In sport, if a sport is governed by a council representing the island of Ireland
, such as the Irish Rugby Football Union
, the term can refer to the nations of the constituent countries on the island of Great Britain
(England, Scotland and Wales) and the collective Irish nation. This dual meaning has persisted in existence despite the partition of Ireland in 1922 as historically the term included all ofIreland
, which between 1800 and 1922 was wholly a part of the United Kingdom. The term home countries (not to be confused with the “home counties
“) is also sometimes used, and is synonymous.[1]
What a load of horse manure. That’s like saying “I don’t like black people but I’m not a racist”
they are on the verge here!
What do you care?
fair ple diobh. Dylan rodgers told me last week in trevor Brennans pub to put my house on a connacht victory… shoulda listened to him…
Hell or Connacht? Poor Quins got both.
Mike Mc Carthy and Muldoon would want to be getting a look in with performances like that
With the Ireland squad that is
in any other sport and with any other team, massive questions would be asked of a team going for a 15th loss in a row. A run only matched by Galway United in recent memory.It is truly bizarre that the fans continue to blindly support this team. It is not admirable, it is not brave and will only contribute to their continued role as whipping boys. Best of luck to them tonight as I really do think they deserve a win. They have performed well against way bigger budgest but at what stage do you, as a supporter, say enough is enough. Something has to change. Again, best of luck to them tonight.
What a silly comment
Mayo GAA anyone?!! Supporters suffering many disappointments on big days, yet still some of the best supporters in the country. Emmo you obviously don’t understand the concept of being a true supporter, you don’t just turn your back when the things get tough.
Wimmin
Absolute rubbish comment, fails to understand meaning of “Supporter”
The West’s awake – the West’s awake!
If Muldoon & Mc Carthy producing displays like that week in and week out, they would get a look. Consistency is the key.
I feel sorry for Connor O Shea. He deserved a quarter final place after the win in Toulouse.
I think losing to Toulouse at the Stoop coupled with a loss in Galway has handed Quins exactly what they deserve really. One Swallow does not a summer make.,.
Fair enough. But still would like to see oshea do well.
Great win, my nerves are shot after that finish, great to see a full house in Galway as well. Might not be the best team in the country but our supporters will rival anyone. Best of luck to Ulster, Leinster and Munster for the rest of the competition
Oppps! ( famous refrain of US presidential hopefuls) that one’s been done!
The West awake!