By David Kelly

In an exhilarating weekend of camogie, UL emerged as the deserving Ashbourne Shield Champions with a six point win over holders C.I.T.

With a 35 strong panel they were thrust into the mix against a dangerous NUIG side in the semi-final.

UL's Fiona Lafferty set down their intentions early on with a point from midfield. UL's Mairead Scanlon then latched on to a through ball to find the net. UL were off to the perfect start.

Captain Aine Lyng then doubled UL's tally with 1-1 inside ten minutes, the sliotar deceiving the NUIG defence from midfield and finding the net. Superb fielding was on display and Clodagh Glynn was unlucky not to score after a surging run through midfield.

UL's domination was beginning to tell. Aine Lyng doubled her personal tally with another 1-1, before Fiona Lafferty drew the NUIG defence in, feinted inside and struck the ball over from 60 yards to give UL a 3-5 to 0-1 lead, NUIG's only response courtesy of Lorraine Ryan.

However, UL camogie manager Eoin Brislane wanted more from his team, who he said threw away a 10 point lead against the same opposition previously. UL defenders Sabrina Larkin, Alison Walsh, Karen Duggan and Mary Ryan were all tried and tested in a busy first half. Despite the score line, UL wanted to kill off this tie as early as possible.
And they did just that. Darina Ryan won a free 25 yards out from goal, which was duly blasted home by Aine Lyng. This set the tempo for the second half. UL would not be denied and their streak was set to continue.

Aine Lyng then converted three frees, before substitute Aine Brislane rattled the NUIG net after Darina Ryan's effort was well saved by Adrienne Cormican.

While UL were converting their chances at one end NUIG were still posing the UL defence some problems. Alison Walsh and Mary Ryan combined to deny Shauna Rabbitte a certain goal. Scores by Fiona Kennedy and Lorraine Ryan helped put some respectability on the score line before Ciara Johnston capped off an impressive all-round performance.

The full time score read UL 6-8, NUIG 0-7. UL substitutes Aine Brislane, Fiona Rochford, Maria Walsh and Ursula Quinn all left their imprint on a rampant and determined UL side. While the score-line made for great reading, it did not reflect the tenacity and skills with which the UL team as a whole showed.

Player of the match: UL's Karen Duggan (5). Karen was tenacious in defence. She led from the back and set the tempo from the start. Her tackling and vision helped UL's cause. A great reader of the game, who at one stage was playing midfield rather than half-back, such was her urgency to succeed.
Next in line were CIT, who had comfortably saw off the challenge of AIT-5-19 to 1-8. However previous meetings between the sides counted for little once the ball was thrown in. A mix of dense fog and hazy sunshine was sure to cause both sides grievances.
It was CIT who were first off the mark. Corner forward Michelle Browne converting their first free. UL responded however with a clever link up play involving Mary Ryan in defence, Clodagh Glynn in midfield and which was capped off by corner-forward Ciara Johnston. Fiona Lafferty gave UL the lead after Trojan work by Shonagh Curran in midfield. Aine Lyng then converted a free from midfield to settle UL's nerves.

However, disaster struck when Michelle Browne's free landed in the net. The ball deceiving UL keeper Susan Vaughan. The fog playing its part in helping CIT's cause.
However, UL's response was immediate, an Aine Lyng free from midfield found the CIT net. A carbon copy of her two previous goals against NUIG.

Two further frees converted by Aine Lyng and another fine individual score by the illustrious Fiona Lafferty gave UL a deserved lead. The score at half time was UL 1-6, CIT 1-2. Game on.

At half time manager Eoin Brislane called for UL to push on and dictate the tempo and style of play. He added: "Don't mind the mind games and dirty strokes being pulled. Answer them on the scoreboard, and then when the game is over laugh about it, shake their hands knowing you one the battle."

Captain Aine Lyng gave her side a much needed grilling over frees conceded. She asked that UL continue their period of dominance. "We are the only team playing hurling," she said.

In essence, UL answered all those questions and challenges. Darina Ryan pounced on a recycled ball played in by substitute Aine Brislane to extend UL's lead to five points. Mary Ryan and Clare Ryan were dictating play from the backline as was 'Beanie' Larkin with a commanding presence at full back. Alison Walsh was called into action early in the half to meet the counter-attacking CIT forward line. From there on in, after she had saved the day at one end, UL smelled blood.

Shonagh Curran in midfield was unlucky to see her kick at goal fly wide of the right hand corner, but all was forgiven when Fiona Lafferty popped up with another superb strike. UL keeper Susan Vaughan atoned for her earlier misfortune with a quick reaction save from CIT's Denise Luby. Luby kept CIT in touch with two frees inside the `45.
UL showed their metal and grit when Sabrina Larkin falling to the ground dived to prevent CIT grabbing a vital goal. Substitutes Maria Walsh, Elaine Hough, Roisin Byrne and Ursula Quinn held their own when introduced.

With five minutes remaining UL were four points to the good. A dangerous lead with CIT's full forward line always posing a threat. Impact sub Elaine Hough then pounced on a ball and took on the CIT defence before tapping over from close range.

Captain fantastic Aine Lyng rounded off a superb and gutsy performance with the last puck of the game. The dream had become a reality. UL 1-10, CIT 1-4.

Player of the match: UL's Fiona Lafferty (19). Fiona put in an epic performance to aid UL's power house in midfield. A true workhorse, she put the CIT rearguard in reverse from the first whistle to the last, scoring some long range points. Deserving of her Ashbourne All-Star.

UL's inspirational captain and killer finisher Aine Lyng was presented with the Ashbourne Shield by CCAO President Lynn Ui Cheallaigh. She paid homage to Eoin Brislane (Manager), Michael Potterton (Selector) and her 34 teammates who put in an astonishing performance. It was a day to remember as the maroon, white and blue team stood in awe of what they had achieved. UL were surrounded by loved ones and colleagues who made the trek down to CIT and whose support was greatly appreciated.

Huge plaudits must go out to Eoin and Micheal for what they achieved. They said that they role was to be a "facilitator" and let UL do the talking. They certainly achieved that. The performance of these women was something that UL should be proud of; they besotted pride on the college and gave in a heart wrenching performance that can rival any game in this era. Congratulations to UL's Ashbourne All-Stars: Aine Lyng, Fiona Lafferty and Sabrina Larkin for their achievements.

"Mary Ryan was deserving of Player of the Tournament Award," said an admirable Aine Lyng. She was selected by her peers and teammates as UL's player of the tournament. The most consistent player in the tournament, she brought an aura of passion, heart and determination to UL camogie. She stood up to NUIG and CIT's attack and repealed them time after time. By no means a seasoned player, she will have the last laugh. It is no surprise that she is on the Tipperary Intermediate panel.

With the chapter drawing to a close, it is with a sad feeling of regret and loss that several players will have moved on before next year's competition. The 8 fresher's on the panel are more than capable of leaving their mark. To those who played their last game in a UL shirt; good luck in the future and thank you for what you have brought to the gates of our college.

Another chapter remains to be written when the UL intermediates are in action in the league final. Date and time to be confirmed.
"Champions keep playing until they get it right" was an expression being sounded around the hotel and dressing room. UL got it right last week and no doubt this is just the beginning.


UL scorers vs. NUIG: Aine Lyng (3-6 (2-3 frees, 1 `45), Fiona Lafferty (0-2), Mairead Scanlon (1-0), Aine Brislane (1-0) and Ciara Johnston (1-0).
UL scorers vs. CIT: Aine Lyng (1-4 (1-3 frees), Fiona Lafferty (0-3), Ciara Johnston (0-1), Darina Ryan (0-1), Elaine Hough (0-1).
UL panel: S.Vaughan, E.Frisby, S.Larkin, A.Walsh, K.Duggan, M.Ryan, C.Ryan, C.Glynn, S.Curran, F.Rochford, M.Coleman, A.Lyng, C.Johnston, M.Scanlon, D.Ryan, A.McGann, S.O'Neill, R.Byrne, F.Lafferty, J.Brennan, M.Walsh, E.Hough, M.Moran, U.Quinn, A.Brislane, L.Phelan, M.O'Regan, L.Hanrick, L.Whelan, E.Murphy, E.Kenny, A.O'Dwyer, C.Motherway, S.Whelton, Eimear Murphy.
Manager: Eoin Brislane
Selector: Micheal Potterton Tweet

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