O'CONNOR CUP:UNIVERSITY College Cork captured the O'Connor Cup for the first time since 1990 with a 2-14 to 1-13 victory over University of Ulster, Jordanstown, in yesterday's final at Queen's University, Belfast.
In their first final appearance in 22 years, UCC had Kerry ace Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Cork’s Ciara O’Sullivan to thank for their scoring prowess as UUJ lost in the showpiece decider for a third successive year.
Ní Mhuircheartaigh scored 0-9, including six frees, while O’Sullivan chipped in with 2-1 on a sun-kissed afternoon.
The spectators were treated to a cracking final that saw UCC, ironically tipped as outsiders by UUJ and Monaghan manager Gregory McGonigle, score a famous four-point win.
At half-time, UUJ led by a single point, 0-9 to 1-5 as UCC shot 11 wides before the break. McGonigle graciously admitted afterwards that UCC deserved their win but his side, champions in 2008, had recovered from a sluggish start to lead at the midway point.
