WIT - V - UUJ
In the first of the Ashbourne Cup semi finals, reigning champions WIT will take on Ulster side Jordanstown. With a star studded team WIT will approach the match as overwhelming favourites, and indeed are many peoples favourites for the overall competition. WIT will boast no fewer than five players of last years beaten All Ireland finalists Kilkenny, including Kilkenny captain Anne Dalton, Young Player of the Year Denise Gaule and All Star recipient Katie Power. WIT will be led by captain Ursula Jacob who was a All Ireland medallist with Wexford in 2007. Jacob was is prolific scoring during their quarter final win over CIT and finished with a tally of 2-08 and the UUJ defence will have to at their best to nullify the threat of not only Jacob but all of the WIT forward line. On paper UUJ are as talented as any college team in the country and they notched up an impressive 3-19 in their quarter final win over AIT. UUJ do have an injury worry with Down's Sara Louise Carr but they will be relieved that she completed a full sixty minutes with Down in their opening National League fixture against Limerick. If UUJ are to be successful they will need players such as captain Karen McMullan, Maebh McGoldrick of Derry, Antrims Shannon Graham and the Down trio of Karen Gribben , Sara Louise Carr and Paula Gribben to be prominent throughout. WIT and UUJ also have 2009 Soaring Stars Karen Kelly and Karen Tinnelly respectively and they will be key figures in the outcome of the match. If the UUJ defence is watertight and if they approach the game in the correct frame of mind, are mentally strong they could cause an upset and come out on the right side of a narrow victory.

WIT -v- UUJ
Time: 1.30pm
Pitch: 1
Ref: Cathal Egan



UCC - V - UCD
Despite natures best attempts to disrupt UCC's preparation for the Ashbourne Cup they can now look forward to taking on Dublin's elite UCD in Saturdays Cup semi final, after overcoming a very good UL side in their quarter final tie. UCD have reached the semi final stage after comprehensively defeating last years Ashbourne Shield winners NUIG in their quarter final tie. After a nervous start against UL, UCC settled well into the game but they cannot afford any false starts and they will need to be at their best to deny a cohesive UCD outfit. The UCD forwards are very strong, in particular their full forward line of Aine Mahony, who recorded a personal tally of 2-06, Denise McGrath (2-00) and Katie O'Dwyer (0-02) in their quarter final win. The UCC full back line of Sarah Collins, Julie Brien and Elaine O'Shea will have to reproduce the fine performances they gave against UL to withstand the UCD attack. This game looks likely to be won in the forward line and UCC will need Cork's Orla Cotter at her best lead their attack and win her individual battle over UCD centre back Leanne Fennelly. Cotter will be supported by Tipp's Aoife McLoughney, captain Grainne Kenneally and Niamh Goulding who scored two superb individual scores against UL. UCD will rely on their full forward line as well as the excellent Therese Manton from Galway. UCC will be hoping that their midfield line can again dominate proceedings and provide the vital link between defence and attack. An intriguing match is in store and it will come down to the wire with the team who wants it more likely to victorious at the end. This is a game not to be missed.

UCC -v- UCD
Time: 3.30pm
Pitch: 1
Ref: John Morrissey


CIT - V - AIT
Ashbourne hosts CIT will be hoping to take some silverware from the weekend and they will begin by taking on 2009 Purcell Cup winners AIT. Both teams suffered heavy defeats in their quarter final fixtures and the team who has recovered best and put in the most work will be victorious on Saturday. CIT will carry the favourites tag going into the match and with players such as Elaine O'Riordan, Julie McGrath and Michelle Browne and playing on home ground they will be confident of reaching Sundays final. AIT have made huge strides in college camogie over the past number of years and they will be hoping to put up a good performance. Athlone have lost many of last years winning team and are unable to rely on the prolific Arlene Watkins from Offaly, they are however a balanced team and CIT wont have it all their own way. If CIT can make a good start then it will be hard for AIT to recover, however if AIT make a good start then its anyone's game.

CIT -V- AIT
Time: 11.30am
Pitch: 1
Ref: Fintan McNamara


UL - V - NUIG
After a crushing semi final defeat to UCC, UL will be hoping to make their mark on the Ashbourne Shield. In a repeat of last years Shield final UL will be looking for revenge and with star players such as Aine Lyng and Mary Ryan they will carry the favourites tag. NUIG are backboned by the talented Michaela Morkan and their attack is led by Galway inter county star Niamh Kilkenny. NUIG will be hugely disappointed with their quarter final performance against UCD and will feel they have a point to prove in the Shield especially when they are defending champions they wont want to relinquish their title. NUIG will need to be at their very best to overcome UL and they will need to keep a close eye on Waterford's Aine Lyng. The outcome of this match could be determined by the centre backs, if Michaela Morkan can dominate then NUIG can push on for success, if UL's Mary Ryan can dominate then UL should be competing in the Ashbourne Shield final on Sunday.

UL -V- NUIG
Time: 3.00pm
Pitch: 4
Ref: Eamonn Browne Tweet

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