Centenary Ashbourne Cup Brochure

As h bour ne

Purc el l

Fr Meachair

Hosted By Dublin City University

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AIB ADVERT

Feel the passion.

Best of luck to DCU in hosting the 2015 Ashbourne Cup from all of us in AIB Santry.

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CONTENTS Welcome Address Weekend Preview Event Launch Ashbourne Memories - Edel Murphy/Eamon O’Shea Ashbourne Memories - Katie Power Ashbourne Memories - Susie O’Carroll DCU Double Purcell Success Ashbourne Memories - Bernie McNally Ashbourne Memories - Lorraine Fahey Sport at DCU

04 11 12 15 18 20 21 22 24 26

04 11 12 15 18 20 21 22 24 26

Team Profiles Weekend Fixtures Team Profiles Ashbourne Memories - Cathriona Foley History of the Ashbourne Cup History of the Purcell Cup & Fr Meachair Cup Ashbourne Memories - Bridin O Maolagain Ashbourne Memories - Pat Moloney WGPA Ashbourne Memories - Sinead Millea Ashbourne Memories - Orla Cotter Ones to Watch Top DCU Players Top Ashbourne Players Dublin GAA Mental Health Roll of Honour

28 38 40 51 54 55 56 58 60 62 63 64 68 69 70 72

28 38 40 51 54 55 56 58 60 62 63 64 68 69 70 72

Thank You

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WELCOME ADDRESS

WELC I

am delighted that Dublin City University is hosting the Centenary Ashbourne Cup in 2015. It is a great honour to be able to celebrate this significant event in the newly refurbished DCU Sports Grounds. DCU believes strongly in the value of sport in the personal development of our students and we recognise the central role that sport plays in the student experience, through promoting health and well-being, creating lifelong friendships and enhancing our graduates employability.

We are deeply committed to the development of sport and to investing in our sports services and facilities. Alongside the state of the art sporting facilities and academic programmes, DCU prides itself on its Sport Development programmes, Elite Athlete Scholarship programmes and the DCU Sports Academy.

I would like to extend a warm DCU welcome to all Intervarsity participants and supporters and wish everyone involved every success. As leaders of your Camogie Clubs you are exposing yourselves to opportunities, outside academia, to gain essential leadership and life skills and you are also making a valuable contribution to the

DCU PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

campus life in your colleges and universities.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to the DCU Camogie Club and the staff and students on the Ashbourne Cup Organising Committee, and acknowledge their work in hosting this event.

Failte roimhaibh go léir agus go neirí libh!.

Prof Brian MacCraith, President, DCU BRIAN MACCRAITH Dublin City University President

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COME A

chairde, cuireann sé an-áthas orm fáilte a chur romhaimh go léir atá i láthair i DCU an deireadh seachtaine seo agus táim ag tnúth go mór le cluichí iontacha a fheiscint idir na foirne go léir.

I would like to welcome you all here to DCU this weekend for this year’s Ashbourne Cup tournament. This year’s tournament is a great milestone in the Ashbourne Cup’s history as we celebrate its centenary year.

It was 1915 when former President of the Camogie Association, Agnes O’Farrelly persuaded Lord Ashbourne to donate the cup bearing his name for the tournament’s inaugural year. Agnes was a founder member and President of UCD Camogie. UCD were the first ever winners of the Ashbourne Cup, and went on to capture a record 35 titles.

This annual weekend event quickly became established as the blue riband event of colleges Camogie.

This should be an exciting weekend of Camogie action with all teams eager to secure the coveted title. To represent your college is a huge honour for any player and l would like to congratulate all of the teams today for their commitment and dedication to the game and wish them all the best of luck as they compete to take home the Ash-

CAMOGIE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

bourne, Purcell & Fr. Meachair Cups.

May I take the opportunity to highlight the tremendous work of the Ashbourne Cup Organising Committee in arranging this great occasion which provides a wonderful opportunity for members of the Camogie family to come together to to celebrate this milestone and to enjoy this great spectacle.

Míle buíochas to the personnel at DCU and CCAO, and I wish our match officials and teams the very best of luck in this centenary year.

AILEEN LAWLOR Camogie President

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WELCOME ADDRESS

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a mhaith liom buíochas a fearadh na fáilte roimh gach duine atá bainteach ar an deireadh seachtaine spreagúil seo in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath. Is é seo gnóthas ollmhór agus ní mór creidmheas i bhfad a thabhairt do Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath as a smaointeoireacht nuálach a dhéanamh an obair seo. Ní féidir an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an ócáid seo a thuiscint go hiomlán go dtí go maith i ndiaidh iad na comórtais níos mó don chuid is mó de na himreoirí, le 18 foirne taisteal go Bhaile Átha Cliath an deireadh seachtaine seo le uaillmhian néaróg, le dóchas agus tuiscint ar ionchas a thugann ach craobhchomórtais. Déanann an scála mór na deireadh seachtaine seo seo an ceann is mó imeacht spóirt idir-ollscoile ban sa tír, rud a chuireann cinnte leis an gradam an chomórtais. “Lig na cluichí tús a chur” I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to everybody involved on this exciting weekend hosted by Dublin City University. Over the past number of years third level camogie has undergone many changes however this year as we celebrate the centenary of the Ashbourne cup that same spirit and passion endures. 18 teams all travel to Dublin this weekend with a nervous ambition, a hope and an excitement that only championship brings. The sheer scale of this weekend makes this the largest female inter-varsity sports event in the country, which certainly adds to the prestige of the competition. Its difficult to put into words exactly what makes this weekend so special, the incredible weather conditions, which not alone test ones ability to play the game, but also ones character surely would deter most. I believe that it has a lot to do with the the camaraderie and friendships made. These friendships and connections are valued and remembered long after playing days have finished.

UUJ had a motto on their jerseys last year, “Friends for life”, this is one of the key aspects that make Ashbourne and colleges GAA in general such a unique and special experience. Even though these connections will and do last a long time there is also a sense or urgency associated with colleges camogie, these players only get a few brief

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CCAO PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

years to strive for glory. So, to all who are competing this weekend, be it your first bite of the cherry or last, carpe diem! To all the players, managers, mentors, match officials, referees, volunteers and all who give their time freely, I would like to say “Go Raibh Maith Agaibh” and all the best this weekend.

An event of this size requires an immense amount of hard work, organisation and logistics to make it possible. To this end I would like to sincerely thank everyone on the organising committee in DCU. I would like to thank all team sponsors; your generosity is greatly appreciated, in particular Bewleys Hotel Group for their special rates, Tipperary Water and O’Neills. A special word of thanks to the CCAO Executive.

No doubt you will all go away with fond memories of a fantastic weekend, and indeed a festival of camogie, and perhaps it will be your team who will go away remembering Dublin as the place where their dreams came true!

Tá súil agam go mbeidh deireadh seachtaine sonasach ag gach foireann atá sa chomortas. Adh mór oraibh go leir.

Is mise le meas, Shane O’Dorchaidhe.

Uachtarán CCAO

DCU Restaurant would like to wish all teams the best on Ashbourne Weekend and best of luck to DCU Camogie Club hos;ng advert Trispace

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WELCOME ADDRESS

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n behalf of Dublin City University I would like to take this chance to extend a huge welcome to everyone attending the DCU Sports Campus for the Centenary Ashbourne along with the Purcell and Fr. Meachair competitions. DCU are honoured to host a competition with such a rich history and tradition, running one hundred years and showcasing some of the greatest Camogs of all time. It truly is a wonderful competition. DCU are newcomers to the top tier competition, having attained Ashbourne status for 2014 and we hope to make meaningful and successful contributions to the future history of the competition in the years to come.

A big welcome to all eighteen teams who are vying to win the six competitions which are on offer over the weekend. I hope that all the teams, mentors, supporters and esteemed guests, will enjoy the games and facilities that are in DCU. We are very proud of our position as one of the leading sports campus’ in Ireland and we are delighted to have been afforded the opportunity by the CCAO to host the event in such a prestigious year. DCU enjoy the challenge of hosting major Intervarsity’s and we hope that your experience of this weekend and previous weekends in various sports are positive.

In DCU we are proud to support our students in their endeavours in all sports and we are extremely proud of the recent successes of our Camogie Club. I would like to take this chance to commend the players, mentors and committee members on the work they have done on and off the field in recent years. The girls within the DCU Camogie

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DCU GAA DEVELOPMENT OFFICER MESSAGE

club and among all other institutions are developing great skills in their time in college, gaining a good education both formal and informal, and their roles within the respective Camogie clubs are assisting them in becoming leaders in many fields.

A huge debt of gratitude must go to the people who have worked tirelessly in recent months to make this event happen, too many people to mention individually, but in particular the DCU Ashbourne Committee, the CCAO, Dublin Camogie, stewards and the office and ground staff in DCU Sport.

All support that has been provided in various forms and from several sides is greatly appreciated.

Is mise le meas, Pól O Briain GAA Development Officer DCU

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a mhaith liom fáilte roimh gach duine, idir imreorí, oifigigh, lucht tacaíochta, lucht féachana agus lucht urraíochta go Baile Átha Cliath don deireadh seachtaine.

As captain of Dublin City University camogie team I am honoured to welcome players, supporters, and officials to the 2015 Ashbourne, Purcell and Fr. Meachair Higher Education Camogie weekend.

This is a very special weekend in the history of the Ashbourne competition, in that it celebrates its 100th year in existence, a remarkable achievement. There is no doubt that the competition has grown from strength to strength over the years and is today recognised as one of the most prestigious camogie trophies. There is more to this weekend than just medals and trophies though; lifelong friendships and memories are made that we will be speaking of for years to come. The Ashbourne weekend is certainly one of the most exciting weekends in the camogie calendar.

It is a great privilege and a very exciting occasion for DCU to host these coveted competitions for the first time. Dublin City University opened their new GAA sporting facilities at St. Claire’s in 2014. This is a fantastic opportunity for the University to showcase these impressive amenities. I appreciate the amount of work the groundskeepers at St. Claire’s do to keep these facilities in superb conditions and I extend my thanks to them.

We are delighted to be joined this weekend by the President of the Camogie Association, President of Dublin City University Briain MacCraith, and past players from our University. I would like to extend the warm-

DCU CAMOGIE CAPTAIN MESSAGE

est of welcomes to you all.

I would like to acknowledge the immense amount of planning and organisation gone into hosting this event over the past few months. An Ashbourne committee has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make this weekend such a success and I extend my gratitude to them for all their hard work.

I would also like to thank the many sponsors, for coming on board and supporting this event.

The Ashbourne, Purcell and Fr. Meachair competitions showcase some of the best Camogie players in Ireland. I hope you all enjoy the spectacle of commitment, determination, dedication and skill that these girls display. And finally, I wish all players, mentors and officials the very best of luck.

Is mise le meas, Stacey Quirke DCU Camogie Captain

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WELCOME ADDRESS

DCU GAA ACADEMY DIRECTOR MESSAGE

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n behalf of DCU University I extend our congratulations to all 18 teams on reaching the Ashbourne Purcell Fr Meacher Cup and shield finals respectively on this weekend.

We acknowledge the great work and endeavours of your managers and backroom staff who have no doubt worked tirelessly to ensure that you are prepared to the highest standard so that you can give of your best collectively as a team. Given that this is the centenary of the competition DCU are immensely proud to be hosting such a prestigious event in the calendar of Camogie.

This weekend you are proudly representing your colleges your counties your clubs and most of all your families and we extend our very best wishes to all teams participating and may your dreams and ambitions be realised. We extend a very warm welcome to your family and friends who have travelled long distances from all over the Country to support you all.

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It is the vision of our University and our President Brian MacCraith that each student here in DCU be provided with a life enhancing education in which sport is an integral component embraced and enjoyed by many of our students.

We are delighted to be hosting this event and we hope that you enjoy performing on our recently constructed 4g pitch and our upgraded playing facilities. The hosting of a competition of this magnitude could not be undertaken without the efforts of so many people. We extend our sincere thanks to DCU Sport CEO Ken Robinson and his staff for ensuring that our facilities are presented to the highest standard. Finally I would like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of my colleague and Gaelic games development officer Paul O’Brien and his team of helpers who has overseen this project with aplomb.

Michael Kennedy DCU GAA Academy Director

WEEKEND PREVIEW

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he three competitions which take place in Dublin City University over the Centenary Ashbourne weekend promise to be a tight affair if the group games which have been taking place over the last month are anything to go by.

The Ashbourne Semi-finals will see 2014 winners UL face off against UCC, who won last year’s Purcell Cup. While WIT face off with NUIG, there are no guarantees following a number of close games in the two groups. The shield final will see two Dublin teams play off as hosts DCU take on UCD. UL and WIT will be looking to have a repeat of last year’s final, but UCC have come roaring back to Ashbourne level and NUIG always prove a formidable challenge.

In the Purcell Cup, the group games produced some thrilling games particularly in Group A, with DIT, Mary I and Maynooth all winning a game each. Group B was equally tight with UUJ and CIT separated only on points and goals scored. The semifinal line up in the cup see DIT face off with CIT, while in the other semi-final UUJ play Mary I. Predictions on who will win either semi-final are very difficult to tell and all will be decided on the pitch. The Purcell Shield final see Maynooth play Queens.

In the Fr. Meachair Cup, last year’s winners IT Carlow will play St. Pat’s on one side, while on the other side St. Mary’s Belfast face GMIT. The shield final will be contested on the Saturday by IT Tralee and Trinity.

The weekend promises to be full of great contests over the twelve games and there is no shortage of stars to keep an eye out for. Many of the players to keep an eye out for, across the various divisions, are listed throughout the programme.

Let the games begin.

Credit Gavin Cawley

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EVENT LAUNCH

EVENT L 2015 Ashbourne, Purcell and Fr Meachair Launch &Centenary Launch

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he Ashbourne Cup celebrates its 100th year this year and it was fitting that the 2015 Launch was held in the GAA Museum on Monday 2ndFebruary. This year’s competition will be hosted by Dublin City University on Saturday 14th February and Sunday 15th February.

Speaking at the launch, Eileen Tully from DCU noted the University’s deep commitment to the development of sport. She said that as part of that commitment, DCU was honoured to host such a prestigious sporting event as the Centenary Ashbourne and looked forward to welcoming teams from across the third level sector to the Glasnevin campus. Eileen is a former Ashbourne Cup winner with UCD and spoke fondly of her memories of participating in Ashbourne competitions in the 1980s.

The launch was attended by Aileen Lawlor and Joan O’Flynn of An Cumann Camogaiochta, representatives from Leinster Camogie and Dublin Camogie. Past players from UCC, UL and WIT along with current stars of DCU, UCD and DIT took time out of their busy training schedules. It was also a special privilege to welcome representatives from two families who were responsible for founding the Ashbourne Cup in 1915. After founding UCC camogie club in 1913 Cait O’Donoghue extended an invitation to Agnes O’Farrelly, a lec-

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turer of Modern Irish in UCD, to start an intervarsity camogie competition. Upon accepting the invitation Agnes then approached William Gibson, 2nd Baron Ashbourne to present a cup which became known as the Ashbourne Cup. It is fitting to note that Agnes O’Farrelly set up the UCD camogie club against the wishes of UCD and their male counterparts. It is those characteristics of determination, and hard work that are synonymous of teams that have gone on to win the much coveted cup.

The Ashbourne Cup was designed on the same style as the Liam McCarthy Cup, solid silver, four handled Celtic designed cup standing at eight inches tall. The original Ashbourne Cup has been donated to the GAA Museum and resides there on full time basis. The launch also saw the GAA Museum add to their collection when Cliodhna O’Farrelly donated a portrait of Agnes O’Farrelly to Joanne Clarke curator of the Museum. Honorary President of CCAO, Bridin Ui Mhaolagain also made a donation to the GAA Museum in the form of her Ashbourne Medal collection won playing for UCD in the 1950s.

Shane Darcy president of Comhairle Chamógaíochta Ard-Oideachas welcomed both the O’Farrelly and O’Donoghue families to the launch in his address stating “We are delighted to welcome the O’Farrelly and O’Donoghue families to the launch, recognising the legacy they left when starting the intervarsity competition 100 years ago. It is a competition that has left a footprint on many girls’ lives with memories that will last a lifetime”. Some of these memories are contained within a book

LAUNCH that Mary Moran, author of Our Game Your Game has written especially for the Centenary Ashbourne. This book is sure to be of interest for anyone who has played or been involved in third level camogie.

Ashbourne Centenary Reunion

One of the highlights of the weekend will be an opportunity for past players and friends of Ashbourne and Purcell to renew friendships swap memories and even make new ones! The ‘reunion’, commencing at 7:30pm on the Saturday of the weekend, will be hosted in the DCU ‘NuBar’ - part of the HUB complex on the DCU campus.

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ASHBOURNE MEMORIES Edel Murphy/ Eamon O’Shea 1982

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or most readers of this programme, 1982 is a period covered in Leaving Cert history – or portrayed in a current RTE TV drama Charlie: today’s students never heard of Mara, Keane or Colley. But 1982 lives on in the memories of the UCD Ashbourne team, and this player in particular, primarily because of the snow. The country ground to a virtual standstill in the second week of January, but it took more than snow-covered roads, cancellation of bus services, and, best of all, cancellation of lectures, to stop the Ashbourne training schedule. We had the time of our lives… spear-headed by the enthusiastic Viking himself, Cashel and Tipperary’s Cormac Bonnar, the snow was an opportunity.

An opportunity to train more, to spend more time together as a team, to have the craic, An opportunity to get ahead of the snow-bound opposition elsewhere in the country.

Our memories differ… some say the training was all done indoors in the (then) new UCD Sports Complex, others recall training in the snow on the track in Belfield, there were definitely running sessions on snow covered pitches near the Clonskeagh entrance. I can’t recall how the north-side Dubs made it across the city to UCD…. Definitely the south-

siders and the girls from the country who had already returned to their various flats in Rathgar and Ranelagh trekked through the snow to Belfield mid-morning and spent a few long days training and playing endless games of basketball and indoor soccer. Long before WhatsApp, Facebook or texting (in fact, many of us didn’t even have landlines) the word got out: Ashbourne training continues. Cormac had us in the handball alleys, indoctrinating us with his theory of the short hurley, a man before his time. And there were copious rounds of tea and biscuits… provided by the inimitable Máire Ní Cheallaigh, interspersed with the odd game of table tennis.

But what of the hurlers who coached over the glory years of the early eighties, what do they remember, or perhaps more importantly and libelously what do they choose to forget. One of those coaches remembers being asked the question did he want to get involved with the camogie team by an un-named Ashbourne captain and answering somewhat incredulously – “you mean with the whole team”. He was having a tough enough time with one or two or three of them as it was, but now the whole team! But involved we all became, spending as much or more time analysing ourselves than we did our hurling or the opposition. But what fun we had – hurling and

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ASHBOURNE MEMORIES

camogie playing to same tune long before mergers or coming together were fashionable.

And what beauty was created on the pitch.

Free spirits, radicals, conservatives, ideologues and Ags all coming together for one common purpose: to win the Ashbourne.

Endeavour, craft and skill converging from the four corners of Ireland. The training made us free – all tricks being tried – the matches were full of honesty and fight. The girls knew beauty, but also knew how to fight. That spirit seen on those Belfield pitches would serve many of those girls well when the time came to face tougher battles later on in the real world. For many of us, that period in UCD in the early 1980s remains a haven, somewhere the mind can retreat to when warmth and comfort is ever needed. For even though the work was hard in the study halls and libraries

Barry Cregg/SPORTSFILE

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and the winning was always welcome on the pitches, it is the smiles and the fun that still lingers through the decades. Like Ithaca, remember, when you set out in Ashbourne ask that your way be long, full of adventure, full of instruction. Ours was and still is!

Edel Murphy captained UCD to Ashbourne victory in 1982. She went on to win an All Ireland title in 1984 with Dublin Eamon O’Shea was joint manager (with Cormac Bonner) of the victorious 1982 UCD Team.

Eamon is current manager of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team.

Edel and Eamon tied the knot in 1986 and now live in Galway.

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ASHBOURNE MEMORIES

ASHBOURNE Katie Power in Conversation with Gavin Cawley

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he Ashbourne Cup is such a great weekend for spectators and lovers of camogie; but for the players themselves; what’s it all about? What does it mean for you?

I suppose; the girls mightn’t be playing with a county as well recognised as others- but the great thing about college camogie is you get to show off your talents whatever your county.

The other thing is- you make lifelong friends with girls from other counties. When you go in first you stick with the girls from your own county. But, you then come to respect girls from other counties. Essentially, you come to realise that the girls might be from lesser counties- but are as equally as talented as your own county.

Looking at my own university; WIT being smaller than other Universities- the GAA club down there is so tight knit together; by supporting each other. Everyone knows each other; and everyone lives in each other’s pockets. It’s a great community- a family even- and because it’s bit smaller- we hope the community feel translates on to the pitch.

What about the Weekend itself ?

The last two years; I have been involved in two qualifiers. They are real pressure games, all the training goes out the window. For all the teams the aim is to get the cup and no one really wants to be in the shield.

They are real pressure games. Qualifiers- they can be low scoring mainly due to the the pressure of trying to get to the weekend of the cup It gives you a pep: the Pressure of the trying to

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the weekend – making the effort worthwhile Looking at your own years in the Ashbourne Cup- what advice would you give to the players out on the pitch this weekend?

Everyone wants to beat the champions and beat the best It is hard to repeat and win it and I suppose that drives you on to be there at your best. It drove me when I was playing; everyone wanted to knock us so I took it as a compliment There is nothing between teams as at this level: it’s an extremely high standard camogie and any one of 4 or 5 teams could win the competition It’s fantastic that all the competitions are played in the same venue with the Ashbourne, Purcell and Fr Meachair Cup all taking place.

It’s better for the game when more camogie games are being played – better for competition. It really is a bonus that all three competitions are played on the one weekend.

It’s fantastic to see the competition is getting stronger and stronger every year and hopefully it continues that way What about the training and playing aspect of things?

Well, playing with and against different girls from other counties is great and you can learn a lot from different players.

Then, when you finish in college you will have

E MEMORIES the chance to play with your friends when you play against other counties but when 60 minutes is over you are still mates after the match .

What’s the high light of the Ashbourne Cup Weekend?

When we won down in UL after two periods of extra time, that game we started at midday and when we finished it was pitch dark lights had been on for ages, just when we looked back at the photographs we realised how dark it really was That was one of the most memorable games I have ever played or being involved in and how good a camogie game it really was. That year the community and friendship I will never forget it for the rest of my life , we were 4-5 points down with 4 minutes to play we could easily thrown in the towel but we kept going and we won by point. We could have easily said it wasn’t our day but just showed the character of the girls. One of the most momentous moments of my camogie career.

How did the Ashbourne Cup help you develop as a player?

Really it’s such a great tournament: weather, underfoot conditions and mentally and physically you have to be so strong in the competition Fresher I nearly got blown away: I didn’t know what to expect in the competition But as years went by I have learned more and more through the competition It really brings players on by having experience of the Ashbourne

And so as you look on this weekend: you will have many memories flooding back…

That game 2013 against UL- I’ll never forget it.

On top of that; there are the lifelong friends you make during it; there’s the coaching you get, the advice that improves you as a player, the craic, the memories, and if you are lucky to break into such a great team- the success. I’d love to be back playing Ashbourne.

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ASHBOURNE MEMORIES

ASHBOURNE MEMORIES Susie O’Carroll in Conversation with Gavin Cawley What are your main memories of the Ashbourne Cup? Ah- the friendships made. It’s a brilliant experience, its great playing with different girls, but it’s completely different as girls do be coming and going. Its different as well because of the short space of time.

It’s also different to any other team you would play with as you could be living with the girls.

So many good relationships were made during my time in UCD when playing in the Ashbourne Cup with UCD. I got on great with girls and it was great craic, and I am still great friends with them now.

How did the Ashbourne Cup bring you as a player?

Oh- leaps and abounds, especially when I was in college and not going great with Kildare playing division 4, at times not being able to field. Then, contrast that with being in college and being able to play with some of best of girls from other counties was really great.

It was really great for me it brought me on as player. It was a very high level of play How did you approach the Ashbourne Cup? Well; it’s different to when I was playing. We only had only one qualifier to make the weekend compared two which is place at the moment.

But the first game is still the most important game of the weekend After Christmas you knew it was serious, but no point looking too far ahead to Ashbourne as you knew you had to qualify before looking ahead to the weekend.

Everyone wants to be playing in the cup competition and not the shield. You had to really

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focus on the qualifiers and so you forward to the weekend after that Bring back to 2008: you scored 1-24, you captained the team and were named player of the tournament.

Ah, It was great. It was back to back wins for the college and it was icing on the cake to be captain and be named player of the tournament. Everything just went right for me that weekend.

The Ashbourne to me is as high level as winning an Ireland with your county. In 2006 – 2007 Kildare were struggling to field a team so winning the All Ireland with Kildare – compares very high with winning the Ashbourne cup.

Was there much Pressure with being Captain ? Ah there wasn’t so much pressure – we had so many leaders on the team. There is small bit of extra pressure being captain but I enjoyed it. We had great brunch of players.

Meeting the girls now- everyone remembers the Ashbourne cup weekends. It was part and parcel- we met, had training, matches, and had nights out with the girls which was great.

It meant we always had something to do – we were never bored - with the matches and training and all the other great things. We all had great craic. But the weekends were the highlight. Winning two Ashbourne’s was great and we have some great memories from the success For me- it’s all about the friendships you make.

The success is a bonus!!!!

HISTORIC DOUBLE PURCELL

SUCCESS FOR DCU Writes Gavin Cawley

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s the teams arrive this weekend to try and land the Ashbourne , Purcell and Fr Meachair Cups , back in 2012 it was a great time to be a DCU Camogie player as DCU landed their first ever Purcell Cup success. On route to that success, DCU were drawn against Queen’s and CorkIT , the ladies done enough to book a place in the Purcell Cup Semifinals where the weekend would take place in WIT which saw them meeting Maynooth University in that semifinal pairing. DCU controlled the Semi Final and won that game in comprehensive style to book a place in the final against Queen’s a team that DCU had beaten earlier in the groups stages once again this classy Camogie team had finally gone the distance as they won by 4-7 , - 0-4 in the final . The Key players for DCU were Aisleen Sheehan (Cork) in goal, Emma Brennan (Carlow) at Centre back, Mairead Power (Killenny) at wing back, Chrissy Kenny (Tipperary) at midfield, Catriona Regan (Roscommon) at full forward & Sandra McGrath (Westmeath) at centre forward who is now a selector with the team. The

team was captained by Laura Twomey and she also got a Purcell All Star and was joined on the All Star team by team members Lisa Carey, Mairead Power, Emma Brennan and Orlaith ‘Durka Durka’ Durkan which rounded off great weekend in Waterford for the DCU Camogie team.

Back to Back Purcell Success After winning the Purcell Cup in 2012 it was expected that in 2013 that DCU would be in the Ashbourne Cup but unfortunately for DCU they had to play a qualifier match against NUIG in Dangan in November but it wasn’t to be on the day which meant they didn’t make jump up to Ashbourne. This caused a lot of hurt within the panel.

underdogs but they really put it up to the Dublin College but their experience proved too much for the Limerick students in the end with Eimear McCarthy (Dublin) performing very well along with Lisa Carey (Killkenny) and Emma Brennan (Carlow) performing very well for DCU. The Double success was rounded off with five players making the Purcell All Star team Eleanor Clendennan (Offaly), Emma Brennan (Carlow), Lisa Carey (Kilkenny), Aoife Kelly (Dublin) and Orlaith Durkan (Dublin). Since the Double Success Camogie has gone from strength and strength as the following November saw DCU qualify for Ashbourne Cup for the very first time.

After this the DCU team had to get back on the road they had faced going into the Purcell Cup, a competition they had won the year pervious.

DCU now had to face into the weekend which was being held by UL and once again this great DCU team booked a place in the Purcell Cup final after beating CIT in the semi-final. DCU now faced Mary Immaculate College in the final. The Limerick College came into the match as

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ASHBOURNE MEMORIES

ASHBOURNE MEMORIES Ashbourne Memories Bernie McNally Queens University Belfast (QUB) have been playing intervarsity Camogie since 1932 when, with the assistance of their colleagues from St Marys Training College Belfast, they fielded their first team in the Irish Universities Camogie league at Queens playing fields Ravenhill.

It was not however until the1950’s that Queens became strong enough to join University college Dublin (UCD), University College Galway (UCG) and University College Cork (UCC) in Camogie’s oldest competition, the Ashbourne cup. However in spite of their hard work and enthusiasm Queens unfortunately were often the whipping boys of the big three as they struggled to compete with Ireland’s best players and coaches. In spite of a few memorable Ashbourne finals in 1984 and 1986 and a 1989 all Ireland league title, it was not until 1991 that Queens made the big breakthrough to win their first and only Ashbourne title ironically beating the big three UCD, UCC and UCG enroute.

Queens began the 1990/91 like every other season, more in hope than expectation, as they scoured Queens Freshers week in search of new talent and began a gruelling training programme around the dreaded bandstand at the back of the PEC. With their inspirational captain Swatragh girl Deirdre “Tip” O Doherty driving them on and manager Bernie McNally convincing them they were “not progammed to lose” Queens began to realise they had a unique bunch of girls and started to think they could actually win an Ashbourne. Even a mediocre Northern league campaign where they just about held on to their Northern title wasn’t enough to dampen their enthusiasm and belief.

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Queen’s knew if they were going to win they were going to have to do it the hard way and beat the only three teams who had ever won the Ashbourne cup. Cork who had won the Ashbourne 27 times, Dublin, who held the most titles at 33 and whom Queens had never beaten and Galway who were going for their third Ashbourne title in a row, and who also had home advantage. The other four teams competing in Ashbourne that year, were University of Ulster Jordanstown (UUJ), University of Ulster Coleraine (UUC), University College Maynooth and Trinity College Dublin.

Queens began their campaign in style in late January by hammering Cork up at the Dub playing fields, scoring 7 goals and sending out a message of intent to their other rivals. They then watched eagerly for the results as to who they would face in the semi final in Galway two weeks later. Unsurprisingly it was UCD, who had an easy enough victory over their local neighbours Trinity, while on the other side of the draw UUJ had progressed against Maynooth and faced a fancied Galway side in the other semi final.

The semi final morning started with disaster for Queens when their talented and experienced goal keeper Siobhan McErlean slipped on ice at the practice ground and broke her arm. The first team sheet was quickly chan-

ged and Lorriane Finn bravely stepped out into the goal, playing the game of her life to deny the Dublin forwards any chance of a goal.

while Deirdre Cunning, Lorraine Devlin and Briege McCurry kept Galway almost scoreless in the first half.

Years of Queen’s frustration and defeats at the hands of UCD unleased a frenzy of sores and tackles by a Queens team determined to show no mercy to their old adversaries. The final whistle hailed a victorious Queens team who ran out 14 point winners and became serious contenders for their first ever title. The other semi final was a close fought encounter between UUJ and Galway with Galway winning in extra time. While those who watched the demolishion of UCD began to put Queens as firm favourites, the Belfast girls knew the reigning champions UCG were playing on home turf and in front of their home crowd.

Although 7 points up at half time Queens knew that UCG would not give up without a fight. The second half started with Galway taking the game back to Queens and only skilful and heroic tackles by both Roisin O Neill at full back and Lorraine Finn in the goal denied them a comeback. At the other end of the field Orlagh Higgins and Captain Deirdre O Doherty ran themselves ragged in search of more scores.

By the end of the game Queens were 10 points up and worthy Ashbourne champions. At the final whistle there were joyous scenes as supporters carried “Tip” O Doherty from a field where they knew they had been part of history. This was the day QUB broke the dominance of the top three universities, brought the cup north for the first time and paved the way for a new generation of Ashbourne winners and a belief that when you believe enough anything is possible.

Sunday 10th February 1991 was a bright, sunny, frosty day, the pitch out in Claregalway was perfect and both teams were up for a great battle. The Ashbourne Shield final was fought out beforehand by University of Ulster Coleraine and University College Maynooth.

When this match went to two additional periods of extra time, Queens and Galway were holed up in changing rooms for longer than they wanted to be. When eventually Coleraine emerged from the shield final as winners of their first ever intervarsity title it seemed the Gods were on the side of the North.

Queens started the cup final at the same frenzied pace as they had left the match the day before and were 3 goals up after 15 minutes, with ace full forward Bronagh McCann working overtime on the edge of the square and Armagh star Mary Black scoring points and frees at will. Joan Tobin, Bronagh McCurry and Monica McCartan controlled the midfield,

Although Queens wanted to celebrate this historic victory forever, there was a small matter of the league to sort out. Seven days later they were entertaining UCD again up at the Dub in the league semi final. This time the Dubliners were unable to put up even a minor struggle and Queens moved easily to a final meeting with Waterford Institute of Technology. This final match was seen as determining who was the best college team in Ireland as Waterford, Purcell cup champions took on Queens, Ashbourne champions. This was the fiercest battle of all with Queens winning with a point in the last seconds of the game to do the double and end a truly memorable year.

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ASHBOURNE MEMORIES

Name: Commandant Lorraine Fahey (From Castledaly, Co. Galway (Club: St. Thomas’).

Currently living in Ahane, Co. Limerick).

College attended: National University of Ireland, Galway.

Years that you played in Ashbourne Competition: 1995, 1998-2000.

(1996/1997 spent playing hurling for the Cadet School in third level colleges competition.)

Did you ever win an Ashbourne Cup/Shield during your time playing: Unfortunately No! During and after college how did playing camogie contribute to your personal and professional development, attitude etc.?

During college camogie was a huge part of my life. The teammates I played with in college became friends and these friendships continue almost twenty years later. Playing competitive camogie at Ashbourne level requires focus and gives you a drive to succeed, which were valuable assets in achieving my goals in life. I had the privilege of being captain of the NUIG team in 2000 when we hosted the Ashbourne in Galway and this gave me a valuable insight into the level of organisation required to run such competitions, which was a useful skill in my future career in the army.

Current Job: (what do you do and where are you based?) I am a Senior Officer in the Army and hold the rank of Commandant. My current appointment is Company Commander in the 12 Infantry Battalion based in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick. Some of my other recent appointments include Aide-de-Camp to President Mary McAleese from 2004 to 2008 and I have served overseas in Kosovo and most recently in 2013 I completed a tour of duty with the United Nations in South Lebanon.

You obviously were very committed to camogie in college and subsequently to achieve great success in your studies and career. What made it all work for you do you think?

With the career that I chose commitment and dedication are very much to the forefront which is also true to be said of playing camogie, especially in college when there are so many other distractions. Also playing camogie taught me from an early age how to be a leader on and off the pitch and the value of teamwork and both are traits that I carry through to my career every day.

What advice would you give to current college girls on balancing study and camogie? Try to enjoy both in equal measure.

Favourite Memories from Ashbourne Weekend (on or off the field): 1.The excitement and anticipation before the first match 2.Enjoying a competition which allows for match ups of players of all grades from club county 3.Après Match!

to

If you could go back in time and play in Ashbourne again is there anything you would do differently? I would make sure to savour every minute.

Any other comments on the Ashbourne Competition: Your Ashbourne team was like your family while in college and I can honestly say Ashbourne

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Sport at Dublin City University DCU recognises that sport forms an integral part of the social and educational lives of the campus community and is committed to providing high quality sports opportunities for students. DCU is now one of the leading third level sporting institutions in Ireland for sporting and academic excellence. We recognise the positive contribution that sport makes to the campus community, and also the importance of the learning and skills that individual students derive from being involved in sport Sports Development Service & the Club Life Committee The home of Student Sport at DCU! We offer a myriad of sporting opportunities that will add value to your academic experience whatever your sporting ambitions. DCU is the home to over 40 sports clubs that offer a wide range of recreational and competitive sporting opportunities for students. For more information visit www.dcu.ie/sportsdevelopment and www.dcusu.ie Sports Academy The DCU Sports Academy is dedicated to providing talented Irish sportspeople with the opportunity to achieve sustained levels of excellence in elite sport and attain a top class university degree.

Under this model DCU is preparing gifted and talented young people to excel

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on the sports field and also acquire the qualifications that will equip them for successful lives. For more information visit www.dcu.ie/sportsacademy/ DCU Sport DCU Sport offers state of the art facilities incorporating health and wellness to meet all your exercise and leisure needs.

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For more information visit www.dcu.ie/ dcusport Elite Sportsperson Academic Entry Scheme DCU has also put in place a special academic entry scheme for elite sportspersons for all its undergraduate degree courses. A number of academic places will be reserved for outstanding candidates who have achieved a very high level of sporting performance. For further information and application forms visit: www.dcu.ie/studentsport/elite_entry. shtml Sport Scholarship Programme The Sport Scholarship Programme is an athlete led programme that provides a

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Athletes are allocated a Sport Scholarship at one of three levels and up to a maximum of â‚Ź3000 in support services. Further Information and application forms are available at www.dcu.ie/ sportscholarships School of Health and Human Performance The School of Health and Human Performance offer undergraduate degrees and postgraduate research opportunities in Sports Science & Health, Athletic Therapy & Training and Physical Education with Biology or Maths. We also offer post-graduate research programmes in a number of exercise, health, physical education and injury related disciplines.

For more information visit www.dcu.ie/ shhp EXWELL Medical ExWell Medical is a multidisciplinary exercise and sports medicine clinic based at Dublin City University. ExWell Medical offers consultations with a range of specialists with expertise in optimising individual and team performance in competitive sport. For more information visit www.exwellmedical.ie

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DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY

As captain of Dublin City University camogie team I am honoured to welcome players, supporters, and officials to the 2015 Ashbourne, Purcell and Fr. Meachair Higher Education Camogie weekend, as we host for the very first time in our new sport grounds. I hope everyone enjoys the spectacle over the weekend from hugely committed teams at all levels from across the country.

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Emma Kavanagh Rachel Phelan Fiona Trant Ciara Buchanon Stacey Quirke Mary O’ Connell Eva Marie Elliott Eimear Brady Ciara Farrell Roisin Collins Aoife Kelly Emer Reilly Orlaith Durkan Aoife Bugler Laoise Quinn Aishling Spillane Aideen Coyle Maeve O’Leary Sarah Greally Shauna McBride Roisin Baker Amy Kenny Christine Lyng Emma Walsh Niamh Gleeson Yvonne Malone Vanessa Boland Mairead Power Jennifer Norris Kate Cullen Aoife Boyle

Kilkenny Kilkenny Kildare Dublin Kilkenny Kilkenny Dublin Cavan Kilkenny Dublin Dublin Kildare Dublin Dublin Dublin Dublin Cavan Meath Kildare Dublin Dublin Westmeath Kilkenny Wexford Laois Westmeath Dublin Kilkenny Kilkenny Wexford Westmeath

Captain: Stacey Quirke

PE and Biology General Nursing Biotechnology Genetics and Cell Biology Childrens and General Nursing PE and Biology Sports Science PE and Biology Childrens and General Nursing Business Accounting and Finance Education and Training Athletic therapy and Training PE and Biology Biotechnology Biotechnology PE and Biology General Nursing Business and Irish General Nursing Genetics and Cell Biology General Nursing PE and Maths Education and Training Accounting and Finance General Nursing General Nursing Science Education PE and Biology Computer Applications Education and Training

Management: Stephen Behan, Stephen Fitzgerald, Sandra McGrath, Paddy Kennelly, David Power, Denise Callaghan.

Sponsors: AIB & O’Gradys

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WATERFORD INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

It is a great honour for me to be captain of the WIT Ashbourne Cup Panel for 2015.

As you all know, it is a pleasure to play for your college in such a prestigious weekend like this. We would like to thank Ann Downey, Ursala Jacob and Paddy Mullally and Conor Phelan for all of their work this year. in getting us to the weekend, such work is not gone unnoticed. Finally, we would like to wish all the teams competing and DCU the hosts, that it will be an enjoyable and memorable weekend for all. Vikki Falconer (Captain)

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Orla McEniry Jenny Logue Ruth Jones Vikki Falconer Sarah Crowley Patricia Jackman Sheila Ryan Meighan Farrell Louise Sinnott Julie McLoughlin Laura Treacy Miriam Walsh Emma Comerford Ciara Quirke Brid Quinn Miriam Walton Claire Nolan Marie Morrissey Valerie O Brien Aoife Forde Deirdre Phelan Mary Corcoran Marianne Murphy Maeve Mansfield Nicola Butler Nicola Collins Aimee Morrissey Aine O Neill Maggie Nolan Sarah Banville

Tipperary Tipperary Kilkenny Waterford Kilkenny Waterford Tipperary Kilkenny Wexford Westmeath Cork Kilkenny Kilkenny Carlow Tipperary Kilkenny Kilkenny Wexford Waterford Clare Kilkenny Kilkenny Tipperary Kilkenny Tipperary Cavan Kilkenny Kildare Kilkenny Wexford

Agriculture Social Science Business in Recreation & Sports Management Exercise & Health Studies Business MSc Research Sport Psychology Psychiatric Nursing Early Childhood Studies Multimedia Exercise & Health Studies General Nursing Business Exercise & Health Studies Business Social Care Agriculture Science Applied Biology Business International Business Agriculture Science Business Psychiatric Nursing Food Science & Business Criminal Justice Psychiatric Nursing Exercise & Health Studies Exercise & Health Studies Exercise & Health Studies Exercise & Health Studies Business in Recreation & Sports Management

Management: Ann Downey, Paddy Mullally, Ursula Jacob, Conor Phelan, Noel Holohan.

Sponsors: Waterford IT

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UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK University of Limerick

Being Captain of UL is a great honour for me. Fantastic teams and players have given the club its history. I’d like to take is opportunity to complement our Ashbourne panel and management for the dedication and hard work that each and every member has shown to get us to this far in the competition. The support we have experienced from Sports Department within the University of Limerick and the GAA office has been second to none, a sincere thank you to all. We are really looking forward to an enjoyable weekend and wish all the teams participating the very best of luck.

Captain: Cait Devane

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Ciara Holohan Niamh Ryan Laura McMahon Ciannait Walsh Patrice Diggins Niamh O Dea Debbie Flynn Ereena Fryday Caoimhe Maher Sarah Fryday Cáit Devane Julia White Aoife McGrath Orlaith McGrath Mary Cummins Claire Keating Catriona Hennessy Grainne Egan Ellen Horgan Eimear Kelly Elaine Murphy Rebecca Murphy Emma Buckley Lisa Gorman Sinead Gaffney Fíona Ní Bhriain Ailish Butler Sara Murphy Aisling McCarthy Ciana Ni Churrain

Tipperary Limerick Clare Tipperary Kerry Clare Offaly Tipperary Tipperary Tipperary Tipperary Cork Tipperary Galway Wexford Limerick Clare Offaly Clare Clare Tipperary Cork Tipperary Offaly Galway Waterford Kilkenny Kerry Tipperary Galway

P.E + Irish P.E + Irish P.E +English Law + accounting Sport +exercise science P.E + Maths Environmental science Business Psychology + Sociology Business P.E + Irish P.E + Chemistry Law + accounting P.E +Irish Nursing P.E + Irish P.E + English P.E +Irish P.E + Irish Sport +exercise science P.E + Sport +exercise science Business Physiotherapy Law Plus Business Food science+Health Physiotherapy Business

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UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

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I am delighted to be given the opportunity to captain UCD on the 100 year anniversary of the Ashbourne Cup. UCD has played a major role in this competition with Agnes O’ Farelly (a founding member of the UCD camogie club) persuading her friend Lord Ashbourne to donate the cup for the Intervarsity Camogie Competition in 1915. UCD has won the Ashbourne Cup on 35 occasions, the latest being in 2008. Sincere thanks to my team mates, team management and Dave Billings (UCD GAA officer), for the hard work they have put in this year on our quest for success. Thanks also to DCU for hosting the competition. I wish all the teams the very best of luck, in what promises to be a great weekend of camogie .Captain: Aine Kinsella

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Noelle Murphy Sonia Buggy Anne Eviston Emma Doyle Kate Holland Kate McDonald Molly McGuckin Lauren Callanan Aine Kinsella Eileen McElroy Niamh Leahy Grace Walsh Niamh Bambrick Jackie Quigley Aoife Wilson Maeve Scannell Martha Byrne Orna Fennelly Maeve O’Connor Sheena Kelly Niamh Phelan Alice Talbot Joanne Mulligan Clare Doyle Chloe Power Alanna Barry Catherine Nealon

Kilkenny Kilkenny Tipperary Wexford Kilkenny Kilkenny Wexford Cork Kilkenny Monaghan Kilkenny Kilkenny Kilkenny Wexford Limerick Cork Dublin Kilkenny Kilkenny Galway Kildare Kilkenny Kildare Wexford Kilkenny Cork Kildare

Arts Arts Dairy Business Science Human Nutrition HDip Medicine Radiography Physiotherapy Medicine Ag. Science Nursing Ag. Science Engineering Radiography Physiotherapy Nursing Physiotherapy Medicine Nursing Economics&Finance Medicine Food Science Physiotherapy Science Radiography Science

Management: Tom O Mahoney, Tom Brophy.

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NUI GALWAY

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May I take this opportunity to wish DCU the very best of luck in hosting the blue riband competition of third level camogie. It is an honour for all of us to be involved.

Many thanks to all in NUIGalway who play and support camogie. Congratulations to the winners on Super Sunday but most importantly to all the teams who worked hard to be at their best for this weekend.

Thanks also to DCU for hosting the competition. I wish all the teams the very best of luck, in what promises to be a great weekend of camogie.

Captain: Mary O’Callaghan

1. Roisin Gardener 2. Clodagh Quirke 3. Louise McLoughlin 4. Sarah Fenton 5. Orlaith Duggan 6. Siobhan Coen 7. Orla Cunningham 8. Niamh McGrath 9. Aoife Callanan 10. Mary O’Callaghan 11. Andrea Mullins 12. Caitriona Lee 13. Helen Doran 14. Ailish O’Reilly 15. Ciara Corcoran 16. Lauren Glynn 17. Cella O’Callaghan 18. Sinead Daly 19. Edel O’Meara 20. Sarah Bergin 21. Sinead Folan 22. Siobhan Donnelly 23. Denise Diviney

Galway Galway Tipperary Waterford Clare Galway Limerick Galway Galway Limerick Galway Galway Offaly Galway Westmeath Galway Limerick Offaly Offaly Laois Galway Tyrone Galway

Medicine Financial Maths Nursing Commerce Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy Medicine Law Nursing Science Arts Medicine Nursing Arts Arts Arts Medicine Commerce Biotechnology Earth Science Science Medicine Arts

Management: Michael O’Connor, Brian Griffin, Ciara Corcoran, Sarah Fenton, Samantha Glynn,

Sponsors: Quays Bar & Restaurant

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UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK

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I am in my final year of Arts in UCC. I am honoured to be captaining a great group of girls this year. . We would like to thank DCU for the use of their brilliant facilities. We are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting weekend. Finally I would like to wish everyone the best of luck and may the best team win.

1. Shauna Carroll 2. Yvonne Murphy 3. Leanne O Sullivan 4. Meabh Cahalane 5. Laura Norris 6. Ciara Holden 7. Pamela Mackey 8. Teresa Ryan (capt.)

9. Jennifer Barry 10.Jennifer Hosford 11. Niamh Rockett 12.Orla Cronin 13.Katrina Mackey 14.Amy O Connor 15.Lydia Fitzpatrick 16.Kaylyn Lee 17. Siobhan Corcoran 18.Emma Crowley 19.Aisling Finn 20.Johanna Houlihan 21. Jennifer Kiely 22.Grace Lee 23.Judith Mulcahy 24.Rachel O Halloran 25.Niamh Phelan 26.Caroline Sugrue 27. Sarah Whelan

Captain: Teresa Ryan

Offaly Cork Cork Cork Kilkenny Kilkenny Cork Tipperary Cork Cork Waterford Cork Cork Cork Kilkenny Cork Kilkenny Cork Galway Waterford Cork Limerick Limerick Clare Kilkenny Cork Kilkenny

General Nursing Sports Studies + PE Arts Commerce Arts Arts PhD Chemistry Arts Arts Childhood Studies Sports Studies + PE Biological and Chemical Sciences PhD Chemistry Pharmacy Arts Arts Arts Commerce Msc Molecular Cell Biology Arts Arts Clinical Law Msc Public Health Sports Studies + PE Food Science Sports Studies + PE Biological and Chemical Sciences

Management: Ray Delaney, Mick Kilcoyne, Dave Ellis

Sponsors: Bank of Ireland

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UNIVERSITY OF USTER, JORDANSTOWN

A chairde , i dtús báire ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le DCU as an ócáid óllmhor seo a eagrú. Is é Comórtas Ashborune an tseachtain is mó i bhféilire na camógaíochta, agus tá na cailíní ó Ollscoil Uladh an-bhuíoch as bheith páirteach as. Chomh maith leis sin, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis na cailíní as ucht a gcuid oibre i mbliana. Go raibh míle maith agaibh agus ádh mór do na hollscoileanna uilig.

Captain: Maire Mulholland

1. Christina Kielt Derry 2. Clíona Murtagh Down 3. Chloe Drain Antrim 4. Hannah McGeown Armagh 5. Adrienne McCann Meath 6. Aoife Ní Chaiside Derry 7. Anna Kelly Antrim 8. Niamh Donnelly Antrim 9. Karen Kielt Derry 10.Teresa McElroy Derry 11. Mary Kelly Derry 12.Máire Mulholland Antrim 13.Noreen Graham Antrim 14.Niamh Mallon Down 15.Aimée McAtamney Antrim 16.Hayley McDowell Down 17. Kathryn Bradley Antrim 18.Annette McCormick Down 19.Catherine McCooey Armagh 20.Annie Laverty Antrim 21. Ciara McNabb Derry 22.Shauna Devlin Antrim 23.Aimée Devliin Derry 24.Aoife Murphy Armagh 25.Nicole Kane Antrim 26.Clare Burns Derry 27. Niamh McCarthy Armagh 28.Nicola O’Gorman Down 29.Aislin Quinn Antrim 30.Gemma Walsh Antrim

Human Resource Management Sport Practice and Theory Sport and Exercise Science Interactive Multimedia Design PHD Spinal Cord Injury Podiatry Podiatry Sport Practice and Theory Masters in Sport Medicine Law with Criminology Human Resource Management Sport and Exercise Science Mental Health Nursing Sport and Exercise Science Sport and Exercise Science Mathematics Human Resource Management Marketing Public Relations Biomedical Engineering Business Studies Sport and Exercise Science Computing Technologies Health Physiology Physiotheraphy Irish Language and Literature Fashion and Textiles Sport and Exercise Science Irish Language and Literature Language and Linguistics

Manager/Coaches: Cathaoir Cunning, Jeff McNeill Sponsor: Bank of Ireland

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DUBLIN INSTITUE OF TECHNOLOGY

I am very honoured to represent DIT as captain this year. A big thanks to our management team and college development officer who have done so much to help prepare us for this weekend. A big thanks to our friends in DCU for hosting this prestigious event, and lastly good luck to all teams and officials who make this weekend what it is.

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Deirdre Brennan Elaine O ‘Leary Catherine Foley Grainne Smith Maggie Randle Kate Aherne Meabh Walsh Susan O Leary Claire Rigney Aoife Minogue Katie O Dwyer Ali Twomey Niamh Byrne Emma Flanagan Shannen Byrne Becky Kavanagh Chloe Rochfort Roisin Kiernan Alannah Finn Clodagh Fitzhenry Gillian Kavanagh Jennifer McAuley Elaine McKernan Amy Gaffney Meaghan Dunne Michelle Gahan

Waterford Dublin Kilkenny Dublin Meath Offaly Kildare Cork Dublin Meath Galway Dublin Kilkenny Dublin Wexford Waterford Dublin Dublin Cork Wexford Wexford Dublin Monaghan Meath Laois Wexford

Captain: Ali Twomey

Clinical Measurement Science Food Science Leisure Management Business Biomedical Science Nutrition and Dietetics Clinical Measurement Food Science Business Envirnomental Health Event Management Business & Law Accounting / Finance Business Music Production Business Forensic & Envirnomental Chemistry Hospitality Management Food Science Nutrition & Dietetics Pharmaceutical Healthcare Science Business & Computers Science Mechanical Engineering

Management: Stephen Hoary, Aideen Naughton , Andy Molloy, Pat Smith, Michael Cillian O’Dwyer, Darragh Biddlecombe Sponsor: AIB

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CORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

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I play club camogie with Sarsfields, Cork. Most recent achievements have been winning the Cork Intermediate League and Championship and also last year’s Purcell Shield. Play football with CIT also. It is a great honour to represent the college and girls as captain of the team. Thanks must also be given to Keith Ricken and all management of the team for the hard work put in throughout the year. Third Level camogie is growing every year and it is great to see the continued support from all over the country.

Captain: Nicole Hickey

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Tracey Kiely Aoife Walsh Meave Corkery Katie Galvin Erin Lynch Amanda Dorgan Claire Tyndall Jacinta Crowley Linda Bolger Nicole Hickey Nicole O Brien Lisa Bolger Ciara Cashman Jessica Kavanagh Ciara Lynch Erin Looney Jennifer Cashman Chloe Murphy Jill O’ Gorman Ruth Brosnan Nicole Crean Gillian O’ Halloran Karen Lane Aisling Everard Chloe Castleton Karen Coleman Aishling Dempsey Catherine Fitzgerald Stephanie Murphy Tara O’ Connor Courtney O’Keeffe

Waterford Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Wexford Cork Cork Wexford Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork Cork

Rec & Leis Rec & Les Social Care Biomedical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Recreation and Leisure recreation and leisure Accounting Msc Projectspraoi Business Mechanical engineering Msc Projectspraoi Rec + Leis Social care Business Rec + Leis Biomedical Enginneering Business Admin Chemical & Biopharmaceutical Engineering Popular Music Business Studies Early Years Education Business Studies Nutrition & Health science Accounting Business Studies Montessori Nutrition& & health science BIS Quantity Surveying Rec & Leis

Management : John Desmond,Liz O’ Mahony,Keith Ricken, Caroline Coughlan

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WEEKEND Saturday 14th of February 2015 12:00pm

Fr Meachair Cup GAA Pitch 1 Ref: Philip Cullen (D)

SEMI FINAL

IT CARLOW

13:30pm

VS

SEMI FINAL

ST.PATS

DIT

15:00pm

GMIT

Ashbourne Cup

3G Pitch

SEMI FINAL

UUJ

WIT

15:00pm

SEMI FINAL

NUIG

UL

Purcell Cup

GAA Pitch 1

Ref: Jenny Byrne (D) SHIELD FINAL

SHIELD FINAL

MAYNOOTH VS QUEENS

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SEMI FINAL VS

MARY I

3G Pitch

Ref: Liz Dempsey (KK)

SEMI FINAL VS

3G Pitch

Ashbourne Cup

16:30pm

Ref:Ray Kelly (KE) SEMI FINAL

CORK IT

Ref: Karl O’Brien (D)

SEMI FINAL VS

SEMI FINAL VS

Purcell Cup

13:30pm

Ref: Gerry McGough (D) SEMI FINAL

3G Pitch

Ref: Liz Dempsey (KK)

SEMI FINAL

Fr Meachair Cup GAA Pitch 1

ST. MARYS

Purcell Cup

12:00pm

16:30pm

SEMI FINAL VS

UCC

Fr Meachair Cup GAA Pitch 1 Ref: Philip Cullen (D)

SHIELD FINAL

IT TRALEE

SHIELD FINAL VS

TRINITY

FIXTURES Sunday 15th of February 2015 11:30am

Ashbourne Cup

3G Pitch

Ref: Karl O’Brien (D) SHIELD FINAL

DCU

13:30pm

Ref: Gerry McGough (D)

SHIELD FINAL

UCD

VS

Purcell Cup

Fr Meachair Cup GAA Pitch 1

12:00pm

3G Pitch

FINAL

15:30pm

Ref:Ray Kelly (KE) FINAL VS

VS

TEAM 2

Ashbourne Cup

3G Pitch

Ref: Jenny Byrne (D) FINAL

TEAM 1

FINAL

TEAM 1

TEAM 2

FINAL

TEAM 1

FINAL VS

TEAM 2

Emergency Contacts: CCAO Shane D’Arcy 086 8519524 CCAO Fionnuala Carr 087 2372203 Paul O’Brien, DCU GAA Games Development Officer 087 915 4748 Eileen Tully, DCU Health & Safety Officer 087 967 0670

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MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE

It is a great honour for me to captain the Mary Immaculate College camogie team for the 2015Purcell Cup. On behalf of the team I would like to pay particular tribute to our manager Willie Banks and to his esteemed coaching team Adrian, Síle and John for their diligence and attention to detail throughout the season. I am extremely proud to play alongside each and every girl on the panel and I hope we can reap the rewards of the hard work that has been put in since September. Finally, I would like to thank the Sports Office in the college for their continuous support throughout the year. Go n-éirí go geal le gach foireann sa chomortas!

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Claire Murphy Julie Bourke Sue Brosnan Jenny Mc Carthy Aisling Moloney Fiona Morrissey Jillian O Leary Sarah Harrington Rebecca Delee Laura Mitchell Maria Cooney Caoimhe Costelloe Orla Hanrick Megan Ryan Shauna Quirke Clara Finnerty Amy Crosse Kate Gallagher Emma Ruttledge Lisa Donoghue Katie Doheny Karen Earls Aislinn Keogh Ellen Martin Aoife Twohill Naomi Carroll Aine Barry

Cork Tipperary Cork Clare Cork Waterford Cork Cork Limerick Galway Galway Limerick Kilkenny Tipperary Tipperary Galway Tipperary Galway Galway Clare Kilkenny Galway Clare Cork Cork Clare Cork

B.Ed 2nd B.Ed 1st B.Ed Psych B.A ECCE 4 B.Ed 2nd B.Ed 3rd B.Ed 2nd B.A ECCE 4 B.A 1ST B.Ed 3rd B.A 1ST B.Ed 1st B.Ed 2nd B.A 2nd B.Ed 2nd B.Ed 2nd B.Ed 1st B.A 1st B.A 1st B.Ed 2ND B.Ed 3rd B.Ed 2nd B.Ed 1st B.Ed 3rd B.A 4th B.Ed 3rd

ManagementL Willie Banks, Adrian O Sullivan Sile Moynihan John O Connor

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QUEENS UNIVERSITY BELFAST

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This year for us will be a massive change from last year where we had the honour of hosting not only Ashbourne, but the three other University Competitions as well.

Nevertheless we’re back up and at it again this year, the girls have trained hard from September until now. We have the same fantastic managers we had last year; Joe, Mark and Catherine and we’re all looking forward to a great Purcell competition this year!

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Danielle McMichael Rachel Mulholland Bronagh McGillian Aine Mulholland Clare Tracey Eimear Hayes Niamh Doherty Cíara McGready Colleen Patterson Maédhbh Laverty Kathryn Donnelly Dervla O’Kane Maeve Lofthouse Ruby Marie Rice Mairead McNicholl Cara Fitzgerald Orla O’Kane Máiríosa McGourty Colleen Clarke Nicole Smyth Anna Kearney Jane McAleese Rachel Merry Joanne Mullen Emma McErlean

Antrim Derry Derry Antrim Derry Armagh Antrim Tyrone Antrim Antrim Antrim Derry Antrim Antrim Derry Tyrone Derry Antrim Down Down Antrim Antrim Armagh Armagh Tyrone

Teaching Dentistry Medicine Medicine Medicine Medicine Medicine Land Use & Environmental Management Geography Actuarial Science & Risk Management Health & Leisure Economics with Finance Chemical Engineering Law Finance Agricultural Engineering Mechanical Engineering Law Criminology Business Studies Human Biology Dentistry Computing Information Technology Drama PhD Pharmacy

Management Joe Balwin, Mark Rafferty, Catherine McGourty, Maeve McGillion

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MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY

On behalf of my teammates and management, it is with great honour to be part of this year’s Purcell Cup with Maynooth University. This is my fourth year playing with Maynooth and it has been a privilege to play with a group of girls so committed to our sport and dedicate their time and efforts to play not only with Maynooth but their clubs and counties respectively. Congratulations to DCU on hosting this very special event. Thank you to Davy, Kristina and Mark for their time and guidance this year. Let’s hope it’s one to remember!

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Kate Whyte Amy Dillon Ellen Burke Louise Doran Cheyenne O’Brien Kate Nolan Niamh Hegarty Ciara McGuigan Aisling Curtis Deirbhile Byrne Laura Manley Amy Bryan Claire Kennedy Sarah Ann Quinlan Catriona Murtagh Orla Byrne Emily-Rose Byrne Lorna Sexton Mary Ellen Doyle Michelle Molloy Darina Callanan Olivia Hickey Ali Ruschitzko Anna Whitty Sian Millar Ailbhe Ryan Kim Deens Hannah Walsh Caitriona Egan Maria Bergin Mairead Whelan Sinead O’Keeffe Katee Lawlor Ciara Finn Ciara Donohue

Dublin Wexford Meath Kildare Meath Carlow Kildare Dublin Kilkenny Kildare Wicklow Kilkenny Tipperary Kilkenny Westmeath kilkenny Wicklow Dublin Wexford Offaly Galway Meath Carlow Wexford Kildare Dublin Meath Kildare Westmeath Kildare Wexford Dublin Kildare Kildare Galway

Business and Management Masters of Education Arts Arts Science Education Community and Youth Work Biotechnology Arts PHD in Psychology Arts Arts Arts Psychology (Sci) Arts Arts Arts Masters of Education Arts Masters of Arts Marketing Arts Arts Arts Arts Arts Froebel Arts Arts Biological and Biomed Science Arts Froebel Froebel Arts Arts Psychology (Sci)

Management: Davy Troy, Cristina Troy, Mark Cooney Sponsor: Chill Downtown, Maynooth

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INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CARLOW

As a camogie player for IT Carlow it is an honour for me to be picked by the management to captain this team which is full of great camogie players who are not just team mates but good friends. After the colleges success in the competition last year it would be great if we could take home the Fr Meaghair cup again this year. As a close knit group we are looking forward to competing in the weekend and doing our college proud. Best of luck to all teams competing this weekend.

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Claire Healy Niamh Canavan Evie Casey Nicole Hammel Nadina Grace Siobhan Flannery Mairead Mc Evoy Aisling Boyhan Denise Deering Ann Marie Guinan Laura Loughnane Shannon Dempsey Caoimhe Tierney Finola Neville Aoife Murphy Sarah-Jane Burke Rebecca Treacy Aoife Campbell Rebecca Dwyer Aisling Cremin Mary Walsh Katy Hurley Miriam O’Brien Chloe Kenny Jennifer Baker Louise Lyons Laoise Murphy Evelyn Morris Rosie Phelan

Kilkenny Carlow Cork Wexford Westmeath Offaly Galway Westmeath Wexford Offaly Galway Cork Tipperary Cork Kilkenny Carlow Laois Limerick Carlow Tipperary Tipperary Limerick Carlow Wexford Cork Galway Cork Galway Laois

Captain: Siobhan Flannery

Physiology & Health Science Business with law Sports Science Sports Rehab Sports Management (GAA) Electronical Engineering Physiology & Health Science Early Childcare Education & Care Physiology & Health Science Media & PR Sports Rehab Physiology & Health Science Sports Science Sports Rehab Sports Management (GAA) Industrial Design Sports & Exercise GAA Physiology & Health Science Media & PR Social Studies Social Studies Sports Rehab Business Social Care Sports Science Youth & community work Physiology and health sciences Sports Rehab Physiology & Health Science

Management: Sean Kelly, Orla Quinn, Jacinta Teehan, Alan Nolan Sponsor: Sports IT Carlow

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TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

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It is an honour and a privilege to captain Trinity to the Fr. Meachair weekend. On behalf of thecollege we would like to thank DCU for hosting the event and congratulate them on the superb organisation of the tournaments thus far. We would also like to thank our coach Aaron Hurley for the work he has put in this year. We would also like to wish the rest of the teams the very best of luck throughout the weekend and hope that it will be the showcase of camogie at the highest level as it always is.

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Aisling O’Reilly Emilie Murchan Alison Stenson Helen McMillan Allie Kelly Orna Hennessy Brid Dóran Aoife Dooley Lora Smith Jade Carey Rosanna McAleese Lorraine Long Katie Browne Aisling Maher Fiona Fogarty Niamh O’Meara Sarah Cunneen Susan Williams Bernadette Hayes Aoife Ann Flynn Susan Gough Clíona McCullough Ciara Hamilton Joan Mulcahy Jennifer Downey Roisin Quinn Alanna Kelly Mairéad Sheean Emma Barron Aoife McLoughlin Emma Gillen Ciara Phelan Grace Brophy Mary Coveney Moya Flanagan Niamh McCormac

Dublin Dublin Dublin Kildare Dublin Dublin Kilkenny Dublin Dublin Dublin Derry Kilkenny Waterford Dublin Dublin Dublin Tipperary Carlow Tipperary Kildare Dublin Dublin Kildare Cork Kildare Dublin Dublin Wexford Dublin Dublin Dublin Kilkenny Dublin Cork Galway Tipperary

Managenent Science and Information Systems Studies Functional Biology Law and Business Science BESS Physiotherapy Masters in Education in Positive Behaviour Management Neuroscience BESS Microbiology Law and Business Physiotherapy Physcology SH Medicinal Chemisrty Midwifery BESS Physiotherapy General Nursing Pharmacy History and Italian Sociology and Social Policy Science English Literature and History Pharmacy Physiotherapy BESS Immunology Masters in Education Nursing Nursing Genetics Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy Masters in Education History and Classical civilization Occupational Therapy

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ST MARY’S BELFAST

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We have definitely had a good start to the year with the Ranch Camogie team. Our team has really developed over the last year and we have been boosted by some very talented first years. It is an honour and a privilege to captain the Ranch this year and I am looking forward to what the championship brings.

Captain: Maeve Connolly

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Noeleen Cosgrove Maria Lynn Maeve Quinn Caoimhe Glass Catherine Rocks Eilis Ní Chaiside Maria Mooney Maeve Connolly Aine McAlaister Nicole O’Niell Aoife Quinn Megan Kerr Catherine McColgan Kelly O’Higgins Aishling McFadden Shari Carey Danielle Scally Sara Connolly Orla Donnelly Bronagh McCaughan Eimhear McAleenan Una McAleenan Cristin O’Kane Eimear Dynes Orla Gribbon Emma McAleese Nuala Convery Sarah Mooney

Antrim Antrim Derry Derry Down Derry Derry Antrim Derry Antrim Derry Derry Derry Down Antrim Antrim Antrim Antrim Antrim Antrim Antrim Antrim Antrim Down Down Antrim Derry Antrim

BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BA BA BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd BEd

Management: James Balmer, Ronan McCloskey, Donal McKinley, Eamonn McCaughan, Kerry Ann Cunningham Sponsors:: NASUWT – Teachers Union

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TRALEE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

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Caitriona Neville from the Croagh/Kilfinny club in Co. Limerick is captain of the IT Tralee Camogieclub for 2014/2015. Caitriona is a 4th year General Nursing student and has been one of the main players both on and off the field for Camogie in IT Tralee since she first joined the club. Last year was a great year for Caitriona as she was a member of both the Limerick Junior and Intermediate.

Camogie panels that tasted All Ireland glory.

Captain: Caitriona Neville

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Anna O Hea Karen Moore Laura O Callaghan Suzy O Shea Amy Deegan Caitriona Neville Aisling Ryan Kate Harrington Clodagh O Halloran Kristy Carroll Kate O Gorman Shona Whyte Vera Loughnane Sinead Tuohy Lauren O Donoghue Kelly Gorman Alison Dorgan Shauna Keane Stephanie Nixon Jessica Swayne Emma Deasy Sinead Miley Clare McMahon Eimear O Sullivan Ellen O Sullivan

Cork Limerick Cork Clare Offaly Limerick Limerick Cork Clare Limerick Clare Meath Clare Clare Clare Meath Cork Clare Mayo Cork Cork Kildare Clare Wicklow Limerick

Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Adventure Tourism Health & Leisure Social Care General Nursing Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Early Childhood Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Social Care Health & Leisure Health & Leisure Civil Engineering Health & Leisure

Management: Gearoid O Doherty ,Damien Ryan, Ciaran Loughnane, Donal O Halloran, Rae Wall, Eamon Fitzgerald Sponsor Details: Kingscourt Student Village

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ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE DRUMCONDRA

Camogie has been going from strength to strength in St. Pat’s over the last number of years with us reaching the Fr. Meachair final three years in a row. After the disappointment of last year wehave regrouped, gained new players and worked very hard in the hope of going a step further this year. We have gelled well as a team and it has been a thoroughly enjoyable year. With the help of our enthusiastic management we hope to perform to the best of our ability and do the college proud.

Captains: Niamh O Mahoney and Claire Phelan

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Aine Wright Tara Hogan Marie Claire Morrisey Niamh O’mahony Kate Mulvey Claire Phelan Elsa MacDermott Ciara Neville Nicola Cullen Aisling Nolan Hayley Cahill Emma Braughan Paula Farrell Mags byrne Rachel Hogan Karen Boyle Grainne Power Claire O’ Rourke Roisin Tobin Emma McDonald Emma Barry Niamh Donnelly Eadaoin Fitzgerald Ailbhe Boyle Aisling Egerton Orla Nimmo Jane Barrett Alice Carey Niamh o’riordan Anne Marie Byrne Orlagh Ryan Niamh Berry

Wexford Kilkenny Wexford Wexford Dublin Kilkenny Wexford Wexford Wexford Kilkenny Wexford Westmeath Paula Farrell Wexford Kilkenny Monaghan Cavan Wexford Wexford Wexford Kildare Kilkenny Wexford Monaghan Westmeath Wexford Wexford Kilkenny Kilkenny Cork Wexford Meath

B.Ed B.Ed B.Ed B.A B.A B.Ed B.Ed B.A B.Ed B.Ed B.A B.Ed B.Ed B.A B.Ed PME B.Ed B.Ed B.Ed B.Ed B.Ed B.Ed B.Ed B.Ed B.Ed B.Ed B.A B.Ed B.Ed B.Ed B.A B.A

Management: Kevin Ryan , Eoghan Rackard, Daniel O’Neill, Cormac Wafer, Pauric Ryan

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GALWAY MAYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

On behalf of GMIT Camogie Club, it is an honour to lead our players at this great weekend of 3rd Level Camogie. It is especially prestigious, as this is the 100th anniversary of the Ashbourne Cup. I would like to wish all the teams the best of luck in their various competitions, and also wish DCU luck and fair weather in hosting the event!

Captain: Tara Kenny

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Colleen Callanan Aine McCormack Fiona Malone Paige Lucas Michela Stellini Tara Kenny Catherine Kilmartin Denise Starr Sinead Fahy Ruth Fahy Maria Breheny Chloe O’Donoghue Jessica Keane Alanna Maunsell Niamh O’Brien Aoife Harte Karen Bulger Roisin O’Byrne Roisin Linnane Dawn Whelahan Gillian McCarthy Megan McDermott Alison Ryan Thriza Dooley

Galway Roscommon Kilkenny Clare Meath Galway Offaly Galway Galway Galway Galway Clare Galway Kerry Galway Galway Galway Galway Galway Offaly Limerick Galway Galway Mayo

Admin&Info Systems Business Phd Hotel & Catering Biopharm Science Biopharm Science BB Culinary Arts Medical Science Medical Science Business Business Forensic science Business Studies Medical Science Chemical science Film & Doc Health & Safety Business Hotel & Catering Science Cullinary Arts Film and TV Business Studies Biopharm Science

Management : Adrian McGrath, Molly Dunne, Paula Kenny, Roisin Callanan, Niamh McClearn Damian Curley Sponsor: Supermac’s Merlin Park

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Irelands leading sports pitch specialists

www.tonypa)ersonsportsgrounds.com 50 Tel:045 883388 Email info@tonypa)ersonsportsgrounds.com

ASHBOURNE MEMORIES

CATHRIONA FOLEY The Ashbourne/Purcell/Fr. Meachair etc & weekend in general.

Before going to College camogie was something the older girls at county or club training used to mention from time to time with that all too knowing-full grin or eyes to heaven between them, as if it were some sort of secrete society, a mystical camogie tradition that had to be experienced for one to be in the know! Freshers week in college, the place is buzzing and every time you run into a camogie player on campus you’re reminded to sign up at the clubs and societies day, as if it will be held against you if you didn’t! First days training and all the fresher’s are huddled together gathering strength in numbers, feeling that there must be some

sort of sorority initiation to undergo. Not yet though, the first day out isn’t the best day to lose players. So the first social event is planned for another night to “raise funds” for the club! This noble selfless event for the “good of the club” is a cover story for a camogie style initiation for innocent freshers. These are the nights that friendships are formed, stories are made and the group dynamic is established…sorting the “living away from home” girls from the “living at home” girls who at the beginning the night decide they will stay for an hour to show face and drive home…this never happens!

A little bit of networking later and all the freshers have

somewhere to rest for an hour or two before college the next day. The first hurdle to overcome in a college camogie night out is in understanding not just the different accents but different interpretations of the English language by the different counties! At the end of your college playing career you think you have mastered this until you meet someone from one of these counties that doesn’t play camogie and you realise that the sub population of camogie players within that county actually had a dialect all unto themselves/their GAA counterparts! Dooped! How about the training and matches then…to be playing in the coldest and darkest times of

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ASHBOURNE MEMORIES the year….One has to have a combination of some or most of these camogie personas: (1) Insane – lets face it one has to be a touch insane (2) Camog-a-holic – usually the ones that you see 1st on and last off the pitch, in the gym in between lectures, the ever ready hurley and gear bag by their side in case the opportunity may spontaneously arise to work out or go for a puck. Are passionate and leaders on and off the field, they bring the best out of everyone. Know everyone’s name after the first training session.

You’d almost feel guilty you’re so ill-disciplined next to them until it turns out when they let loose at the end of the year they surpass all prejudices and are the centre of all the craic!

(3) Session & banter panther – took up camogie to experience the full college social life experience, not only to experience it but to ultimately make sure everyone within a 10 mile radius also experiences as much craic as is humanly possible.

Usually the ring leaders of the social nights out and instigators of fresher initiations. They are probably heard be-

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fore they are seen and in the middle of most negotiations regarding the social behaviours of member and the club…it’s difficult to say no to these people!

On match day there would be an element of preparations missing if that voice was missing in the dressing room, on the sideline or the pitch. Energetic and enthusiastic to say the least!

(4) Cmaog poser – flashy boots, helmet or other camogie attire or paraphernalia.

May have some sort of theme running through their ensemble…personality is a must on and off the pitch.

Rhanna meets chic if ever there was a combo this lady has probably tried it out at some stage! Outside camogie her close friends may not even realise she plays camogie or they do know she plays but really don’t understand the game what so ever!

You dare not stand in her way as she storms on a solo run from mid field into the goal mouth! Kick ass attitude! Fire in the belly and ice in the mind!

Tells you what you need to hear even when you think you don’t need to hear it!

(5) Mary the Fairy – there is always one…

the gentle bubbly character that loves everyone and everyone loves! Couldn’t fault them if you tried! Could picture them chilling out to Bob Marley in mind body and soul at electric picnic! Probably always the one that’s requested to give an aul rendition of some loansome Irish song at the end of the night as the bar closes and everyone is getting emotional! Yet there is a streak of devilment that arises once this lady is in the company of good friends! The most positive person on the team, always great for uplifting encouragement during the game and especially at the half time team talks.

No one really gets it until you’ve been to the Ashbourne weekend but the phrase “what happens at Ashbourne stays at Ashourne” really does mean what it says on the tin! Within each camogie university club there is an immense sense of solidarity a feeling like we’re all in this together…like I’ll not judge you if you fall…because God knows I’ve fallen off those heels more times than I care to remember. So instead I’ll pick you up dust you off, “buy” you a glass of water & dash of lime,

pretend its something a tad stronger….yup I’ve so got your back… well that’s what I’ve lead you to believe anyway…we’re penniless students after all!

We’re all in this together through the muck, rain, frost, snow, wind, hail, thunder, lightning yup you name it we’ve either played or trained in it..WHY???...because the girl next to us did!

Even if it is valentines/ rag week leading up to the Ashbourne weekend these milestones are sometimes sacrificed for the good of the casue…well that’s what you tell your other half and yet if you don’t get that bunch of flowers may God help them!

Manys the time Pancake Tuesday fell that week after Ashbourne when some would say you’ve have had ample time to indulge in all things good in life the Sunday and Monday before! However the party for some is still going and out come the frying pans, eggs, flour and milk and we’re all experts at making pancakes.

Best pancake Tuesdays in living memory! The Ashbourne is what you make it both on and off the pitch and it has been so for a hundred years! Its interesting to see that even back in the day the Ashbourne parties/dances/cel-

ebrations were attended by hundreds of people and that Lord Ashbourne himself attended and partied into the wee little hours of the morning! It started with a vision to allow women an opportunity to express their ability, talents, skills, dreams and personalities so long may this tradition continue well into the future for another hundred years why not! Best sorority in the world!

She now has three pages!

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HISTORY OF THE ASHBOURNE CUP This weekend in Dublin City University marks an historic occasion in not just the Ashbourne Cup but Camogie history as a whole as it becomes our nation’s ladies first ever national camogie tournament to reach the Centenary Anniversary.

Founded in 1915 when Cork lady Cait O’Donoghue (UCC) extended an invitation to Cavan lady Agnes O’Farrelly (UCD) asking for help setting up a University Camogie competition.

O’Farrelly had formed the UCD camogie Club one year previously against the wishes of the College and served as President of the Club until 1951 and later served as Camogie President.

Her defiance in founding UCD camogie club meant the first ever National Camogie final took place in 1915 between UCD and UCC with the Dublin College winning the first final lifting the Cup donated by Edward Gibson, 2nd Baron Ashbourne.

Its 100th year in existence is put into context by the fact the first ever All Ireland camogie final only took place years later in 1932.

While male 3rd level competitions are seen as feeder competitions to inter-county teams the Ashbourne on the other hand usually pits some of our Islands most prestigious camogs against each other.

The competition has seen an abundance of inter-county players some whom had All Ireland medals or even All Star Awards throughout the years, is it any wonder the competition is nicknamed “The Olympics of Camogie” As you can imagine then this hallowed competition over its century in existence has

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served up some marvellous occasions which rival any other completion our native sports have to offer.

WIT were the first and only non-University team to win the Asbourne cup in 1999 the first year the competition was 15-a-side following non-university’s being allowed into the competition in 1994 having previously competed in just the Purcell Cup. WIT then went on to achieve a historic five in a row for their college with a one point victory over UL in 2013 despite the hoodoo surrounding five in a row in GAA folklore and is one of the finest achievements of a team in modern GAA. They were however thwarted in their quest for 6 as UL made up for that heart-breaking loss 12 months earlier when they reversed that result and stopped them equalling UCC’s record of 6 in a row in 1977 albeit before the competition became 15-a-side.

Agnes O’Farrelly’s defiance, determination and commitment to set up UCD camogie club all those decades ago have reaped massive rewards for the University and the inaugural winners are Asbourne Cups most successful team with 35 titles.

Their across City rivals and hosts DCU will be hoping they can cause an upset this year and make some history of their own having rose from the ashes last season to compete in the Ashbourne for the first time.

From just a two team tournament a century ago this tournament soon took shape, took flight and we have watched it soar becoming the “Olympics of Camogie”.

THE HISTORY OF PURCELL CUP

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he first ever Purcell cup took place just a couple of kilometres down the road from this year’s hosts DCU in St Patricks College Drumcondra on the sixth of March 1977.

The third level colleges division 2 was set up by the camogie association of Ireland and had the cup donated by Camogie President at the time Una Ui Puirseal and her husband Padraig Puirseal correspondent for the Irish Press and hence receiving its name the Purcell Cup. The Purcell cup was originally established for non-university colleges to ply their trade until 1994 when the Purcell Cup then became the second tier for the Asbourne Cup and teams were graded based on their Camogie ability.

In the first final Mary Immaculate College Limerick defeated Ulster Polytechnic by 3-0 to 0-1 to become the competitions inaugural winners with former Ashbourne powerhouses UCC the first University side to win the competition in 1994 the year of the rule change.

UCC are the reigning Purcell Cup champions but will compete in the Ashbourne this year. The Purcell Cup winners now play the

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Ashbourne Cup Shield runners up early the following year to determine promotion/ relegation.

This year’s weekend hosts DCU tasted success on Purcell Cup finals weekend in 2012 and 2013 and used that as a stepping stone to a first ever Ashbourne Cup appearance last season and will hope to go even further this year on home soil.

HISTORY OF FR MEACHAIR CUP

he Fr Meachair Cup was founded in 1986 for teams who do not compete in the Ashbourne or Purcell Cups and is named after popular NUI Maynooth Camogie trainer Fr Gerry O Meachair from Cappawhite Co. Tipperary.

The competition was originally a one day 7-a-side competition but was reformed in 2012 and changed to a 15-a-side six team competition in the same format as the Ashbourne and Purcell cups weekends.

The first reformed Fr Meachair Cup weekend in 2012 was won by Mary Immaculate College Limerick and the student teachers have a knack for this competition as St Pats College Dumcondra won the next two in 2013 and 2014.

Credit: James Donoghue

The previous 7-a-side competition was renamed the O Mhaolagain Cup after former camogie president Bridin O Mhaolagain and was won in its inaugural year by hosts Dundalk IT.

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ASHBOURNE MEMORIES

ASHBOURNE Corn Comórtas Mhic Giolla Bhríde – Ceiliúradh an Chéid - Le Brídín Ó Maolagáin Tá borradh agus fás iontach tagtha ar an gcomórtas cáiliúil camógaíochta idir na coláistí triú leibhéal, le céad bliain anuas. Cé a cheapfadh céad bliain ó shin nuair a bhronn an Tiarna Mac Giolla Bríde ó Choláiste na Tríonóide, Corn den scoth ar an Ollamh Úna Ni Fhaircheallaigh i UCD, le comógaíocht a fhorbairt i measc na mban.

The mere mention of the name the Ashbourne, still after 60 years sends shivers and a sort of fever down my spine, and of most players, in the wild and wonderful years of student life. In those days, life was different and we stuck together throughout the whole year! “Have team…. will travel, was the order of the day……” For me it was a magnificent obsession. My sisters Aoibheann Daly and

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Bláthnaid Ó Brádaigh all students at UCD played camogie, and in fact travelled to Dunloy in the Glens of Antrim to play a friendly in the late fifties! It was there that I first held a camogie stick, at the tender age of six years.

Ashbourne fever: In my day, a mixture of physical and psychological illness, was usually contracted after the first Ashbourne experience. Because of lecture and exam constraints, this occasion was fixed for, probably the worst month of the year – February – so it seems!

Normal Ashbourne weather – rain, hail, snow, frost, ice, galeforce winds, swirling storms and, very seldom, sunshine shrouded in icy mist! Hardly conducive to excellent or stylish camogie!

However, in fever, one’s perception changes and heroics are exhibited. Heights are scaled and targets are achieved above and beyond reason. For Ashbourne glory, battles were fought, blood was spilled, bones were broken, sleep was lost, tears

were shed, novenas were made, notes were copied, professors were wooed; lectures were missed, exams were failed, and super sacrifices in social life were made – all for Ashbourne!!!

Social Aspect of the Ashbourne Talking of the social aspect – as well as being a fiercely competitive tournament, it was a challenging, hilarious social event. Hospitality and escorts a la Rose of Tralee was usual. Each visiting team was met at the train station by a very willing often coy, sometime scheming, slightly amorous group of hurlers, footballers, handballers and frequently, soccer students.

The climax of the very long weekend apart from the camogie of course, was the presentation banquet – a black tie affair. Weekend results were very interesting.

‘Matches’ had been played and made; hearts were won or stolen, and sometimes broken. Friendships were forged; combined univer-

E MEMORIES sity teams were picked, and above all Ashbournes were won or not won! All in all when the fever, for which no antidote has been found, subsides. the team faced the other challenge – the exams.

According to the experts, there is no doubt but that the attributes to physical and mental agility combined to enhance the development of the whole person. The discipline which brought us such success on the field of play, transferred to our academic success - at last!

Apart from my first two Ashbournes, which we sadly lost, I had the great distinction of winning 5 in a row beautiful medals - first as Captain in 1958. And I was on the Combined Universities team for 7 years. That was all in my day, when only 4 colleges competed – UCD, UCC, UCG, and QUB. Little did I know then, that one day I would be elected President of An Cumann Camógaíochta 19911994 and Dates was given the honour of Life-President of Comhairle Camógaíochta Ard Oideachais.

The backbone and mentors of the students of UCD for at least 40 years were the Stuarts and the Purcells, the Doc.” Former President of the GAA, was coach for 40 years or so. His wife Josie was Club President for 40 years. Agnes Purcell of Purcell Cup fame was and Club Cathaoirleach and was also President of An Cumann Camógaíochta in the late seventies. Pádraig Puirséal, husband of Agnes the famous journalist, was PRO. With such guiding lights at the helm, how could we go astray. During this period I had the pleasure of being the President of CCIA now called CCAO. Míle buíochas i gcónaí.

As for the anecdotes re social and Ashbourne antics – well, sin scéal eile!

As 3rd President of our beloved UCD Club and my husband Aidan as staunch supporter, I recall each year, those treasured memories of my Ashbourne playing years.

When wounds had healed, bones had mended, exams were passed or perhaps failed, tears had dried, sleep was restored, prayers were answered and plans made to start all over again in autumn.

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ASHBOURNE MEMORIES

Name: Pat Moloney - Lenihan College attended: University College Cork and University of East Anglia, Norwich Years that you played in Ashbourne Competition: 1972, 1973,1974 Did you every win an Ashbourne Cup/Shield during your time playing: UCC won the Ashbourne those three years During and after college how did playing camogie contribute to your personal and professional development, attitude etc.?

Playing camogie during my time in UCC meant that I got to know and develop friendships with students from across different courses whom I would never have met were it not for camogie.

I found that moving from secondary school to college back then (i.e. a long time ago!!) was quite a transition. Added to that I was quite a shy person. Being part of the camogie scene was invaluable to me in helping me forge relationships beyond my social science group, which was so small back then by comparison with the larger numbers studying social science these days. Getting the opportunity to represent UCC and make a contribution on the field of play to winning the Ashbourne greatly helped my confidence levels generally and eased my transition to college life.

You cannot be successful in camogie or any sport without training hard and challenging yourself to be the best you possibly can be. Looking back I realise that I was very competitive when it came to playing camogie and I would have always wanted to do well on the field of play whether playing for my school, for college or my club. I think I brought the same attitude and intensity to studying for my chosen career i.e. social work and to my ongoing professional development once I started working as a social work practitioner.

Current Job: (what do you do and where are you based?)

Prior to retiring three years ago, I was a Lecturer in UCC in the School of Applied Social Studies for eighteen years. I taught on the Masters of Social Work (MSW) programme and the BA in Early Childhood Studies and was a Practice Teacher in Cork University Hospital. Prior to working in UCC I had worked in child protection social work for many years You obviously were very committed to camogie in college and subsequently to achieve great success in your studies and career. What made it all work for you do you think?

I liked studying and I was passionate about my work whether I was a practicing social worker or teaching social work. Camogie was a wonderful help to me in my early years working in the stressful and emotionally draining area of child protection. Running onto a field whether for training or a game helped me unwind and take my mind off the harsh realities I had been dealing with in my work. We are all more aware now of the importance of exercise to overall good health, and I consider that camogie taught me about the benefits of physical exercise in one shape or another to one’s overall health.

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FREE ENTRY every Thursday in February with a picture of this page!

McGowans of Phibsboro have a Student Night every Thursday with 2 Floors of Music, Late Bar

& r3.50 Drinks

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WOMENS GAELIC PLA

On January 20th, 2015 a new dawn beckoned for county ladies footballers and camogie players with the launch of the Women’s Gaelic Players Association (WGPA). The purpose of the WGPA is to provide a voice for county players in both codes; to listen to and respond to the playing, professional and personal challenges that players face during their career. Prior to the establishment of the WGPA, players were consulted on different occasions to identify the main issues they encounter on and off the field. It was clear that players are frustrated, due to matters such as not having hot showers after training to being out of pocket due to injury expenses. Equally, players are often stressed and overwhelmed and their work and relationships suffer due to the commitment associated with playing at county level.

These county players are the front door to our sports; they represent the best of what our games have to offer and should drive progress, mar-

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keting, communication, and development while also being facilitated and supported to progress and achieve beyond the sporting domain, which is often not currently the case. The WGPA is committed to improving the playing, personal and professional lives of our members while also promoting players as role models and advocates for our games.

Students are an important cohort of county players with up to 40% of current players still studying. These players have additional playing and academic commitments and require support in managing this ‘dual career’. Just over one third of county players have indicated that they received a scholarship at third level; therefore one of the initiatives the WGPA will commence in 2015 is a Third Level Scholarship Scheme.

The purpose of this scheme is to help student county players to balance their sporting and academic commitments, ensuring that our members progress and develop professionally throughout their

playing career. In 2015, the WGPA will provide a 24/7 Member Support Line where players can access advice and guidance on challenges they are experiencing in their lives. WGPA members are also taking part in the Jim Madden Leadership programme, which is designed to hone and develop leadership skills in players who can subsequently be positioned as role models in society.

This new players association has been set up by players, will be led by players and will work for players. Players are taking responsibility for the issues they experience at county level, recognising that if we want change then action is required. We are committed to making things better for ladies footballers and camogie players. Check us out at www.wgpa.ie, email info@wgpa.ie if you have any questions and follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/womensgpa.

Finally, good luck to all teams competing in the Ashbourne Competition this weekend,

AYERS ASSOCIATION

each of us involved in the WGPA Executive Team and many of our members have fantastic memories of competing at third level. Beyond the competition itself, the Ashbourne and its equivalents helped to forge many lifelong friendships and are possibly the best representation of fun and enjoyment that our games have. It is an extra special year for Ashbourne in 2015, celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

Good luck to all WGPA members taking part and congratulations to the Organising Committee and to DCU for putting together a fitting acknowledgement to this great competition. Happy birthday Ashbourne, thanks for the memories and here’s to many more.

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ASHBOURNE MEMORIES

Sinead Millea

Former UL and Kilkenny Star

There is something wholly satisfying about setting out an objective and achieving that goal.Winning the Ashbourne Cup and bringing it back to UL for the first time has left an indelible mark on my memory and although 20 yrs ago now, I can still remember that sense of elation and jubilation at the final whistle.

The Ashbourne Cup is a prestigious competition laiden with tradition.There is but a very short time frame in which you can win this most coveted prize.

Playing in the Ashbourne meant you were afforded the opportunity to play alongside and against inter county and club players from all over the country.

Lasting friendships were forged along the way as players trained and toiled in inclement weather and heavy underfoot pitches.

My lasting memories include the early morning sessions under the masterful guidance of our trainer Dave Mahedy,a team leaning over a fence after a tough track session, the hill sessions in The Bowl ,the sweat and tears on The Mud Patch (which incidentally is where The Sports Arena building now stands in

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UL.)The essence of sport literally does lay in its foundations!There were lots of fun and laughs along the way.A togetherness and synergie within the team was evident, that ,sprinkled with hardwork, commitment and a will to do something for the first time that no one in UL had ever done before spurred us on.It all culminated in the Mardyke on a cold mid February afternoon.The Banquet held afterwards was so much fun and some stories are still spoken of!

Whilst many of our team have now gone to the four corners, on occassion when we do happen to meet, that sense of satisfaction is still palpable ,in the realisation that together we achieved something very special a long time ago.To all participating teams and in particular my Alma Mater, UL...Go make your own little bit of history in this 100th yr and enjoy every minute of what is a most special weekend..

Orla Cotter

Former UCC & Cork Star

The Ashbourne competition is the All-Ireland of colleges camogie. Having played with UCC for four years we reached 2 finals and unfortunately victory alluded us in both. Losing out to the very successful WIT team on both occassions. Colleges camogie is a different type of game to the inter county competition, played and trained in harsh weather conditions it really does make me wonder why I didn’t take up badminton for that winter season!!

Honestly though it was great craic, the training was tough going, a mixture of frozen surfaces, fairly muddy underneath or waterlogged pitches were all common features of the Ashbourne training regime. One particular training session springs to mind. We were out in the farm on a Saturday morning and it was fairly crap weather, waterlogged pitch, freezing cold etc etc.

John Grainger happened to be taking us on this day and I remember him trying to “psyche” us up for the upcoming ashbourne weekend. Lets just say Grainne Kenneally came out worst as she was chosen to demonstrate the drill with John! On a serious note we

trained hard, had great fun, made great friendships and had a few nights out along the way. I played along side some very talented players and would love to have won an Ashbourne medal with them but it wasn’t to be. Best of luck to all teams competing this weekend.

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ONES TO

Ashbourne Cup: Ones to Watch: Julia White: Having won an All-Ireland with Cork in September, Wing-Forward Julia will be hoping to improve this run of success into the weekend, aiming for back to back wins for UL. Miriam Walsh: A native of Tullaroan, Miriam, who was a member of the DIT team last year in their loss to UCC, has now joined WIT, and will be aiming to reclaim the title of Ashbourne Champs.

Cait Devane: UL captain for the second year running, Devane from Tipperary is hoping to make it back-to-back titles for UL in what would be their 6th title since the competition began.

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Jackie Quigley: Quigley from Rathnure, Wexford, is a second year student in UCD, having featured strongly in their 2014 Shield final win over UUJ, Jackie will be hoping to impress again this year.

Amy O Connor: Having scored a hat-trick v. WIT in their opening qualifier, Amy’s sharp shooting is definitely one to watch for the UCC team as they make their first bid for the Ashbourne Cup since 2003.

Ciara Farrell: One of DCUs newest players, Ciara has shown that she can bring the experience of her successes with club Thomastown (Senior County Champions 2014) and school, Presentation College Kilkenny (Leinster Senior A Camogie Champions 2014) into DCUs Ashbourne Challenge.

O WATCH Purcell and Fr. Meachair: Ones to Watch: Karen Kielt: Karen is from the Pearses Kilrea club in Derry, completing her masters in Sports Science in UUJ, she will be hoping to drive UUJ to their first Purcell Victory since 2006.

Ali Twomey: One of DITs strongest and most experienced Forwards and member of the Dublin Senior Panel, Twomey will be hoping to improve on last years’ final disappointment to UCC.

Catherine Foley: One of DITs strongest in terms of fielding high ball, Foley was awarded a Soaring Star in November and is hoping to continue this run into the Purcell Championship weekend.

Finola Neville: Sharp Shooter from the St.Catherines Club, Cork Fiona has proved herself to be a very competent full forward, and her free-taking could give Carlow IT the edge in their Fr.Meachair Bid.

Claire Phelan: Pats’ joint captain this year, Claire will be hoping to improve on last years’ Fr.Meachair Final defeat at the hands of Carlow IT.

Credit: Gavin Cawley

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AND

GOOD LUCK Best of luck to all the teams competing in the Ashbourne Cup, Purcell and Fr Meachair finals this weekend from everyone in DCU Clubs and Socs and the OSL!

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TOP DCU PLAYERS LAURA TWOMEY Laura, a Naomh Mearnóg club member is the winner of 2 Purcell medals (2012,2013) and a Purcell runner up medal with DCU, captaining the side from Centre back in their first final win in 2012. Laura is also a longstanding member of the Dublin Senior Camogie Panel.

MAIREAD POWER Power, from Carrickshock, played for DCU from 2010-2014, has won 2 Purcell medals, (2012,2013) and 1 runners up medal. Mairead also won A Camogie All-star in 2013.

CHRISTINE (CHRISSY) KENNY Chrissy, a Toomevara native, plays her club camogie with Borrisoleigh, Co.Tipperary.

Chrissy was a vital member of the DCU Panel in their 2012 and 2013 wins, leading from midfield.

STACEY QUIRKE

Stacey, another Kilkenny native from Muckalee, played a major part of the DCU 2011 panel that reached the Purcell Final, and also the 2012, 2013 Purcell Winning panel. Stacey too is a member of the Kilkenny Panel, and Captains DCU for the 2014/15 season.

EMMA “BRICK” BRENNAN From Carlow, Emma held roles as both a player and the Chairperson of DCU Camogie, she is the winner of 2 Purcell Medals (2012,2013), receiving the Player of the Match Award in 2012, Emma has also won 2 Purcell allstars, and an Ashbourne All-star 2014.

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TOP 5 ASHBOURNE PLAYERS Katrina Parrock (WIT/Wexford) Since the Ashbourne cup became a 15-aside competition it is safe to say that WIT has been one of the power houses of the 15-aside era. They won seven titles in total since 99 including a five in a row between 2009 and 2013. During that era they were aided by the mercurial talent that is Katrina Parrock who hails from the Shelmaliers Club in Wexford. Katrina won 4 Asbourne Cups in a row between 2010 and 2013 and was selected as Player of the tournament in 2010, 2011 and 2012. She has also won 4 All Ireland titles with Wexford, her first coming while still in Loreto Secondary School Wexford in 2007.

Eileen Naughton (UCG/Galway) The UCG goalkeeper was one of the competitions longest serving Camógs playing for UCG or NUIG as it is currently known for a total of six years. Her longevity in the competition stemmed from her decision to begin studying medicine in 1963 which kept her in the College for 6 years.Having already represented Galway and Connaught before her 17th birthday her first Ashbourne success came in her second year in college in 1964 and the second Ashbourne medal came in her final year in 1968. Her name will be etched in Ashbourne folklore because of her selection on the Combined Colleges team 6 years running which is the equivalent of today’s Ashbourne All Stars.

Ann Carroll (UCD/ Tipperary and Kilkenny)

Winning the Cup 35 times in the history of the Ashbourne competition means that UCD have been blessed with some of the competitions shining lights over the course of the last century and none more so than former

Credit: James Donoghue

captain Ann Carroll. Carroll who donned both Tipperary and Kilkenny colours during her career winning two All-Ireland medals with the Cats excelled at Ashbourne level. In her first year scored a remarkable 10 goals in the semi-final in 1966 against Queens and then led her side to victory over UCC in the final.

She remained one of the tournaments biggest stars until 1970.

Rena Buckley (UCD/Cork) Rena Buckley is one of the most gifted dual stars to ever play the game winning a remarkable 5 All Ireland senior Camogie titles and 9 All Irelands Ladies Football medals a record that is only equalled in GAA by her teammate Brid Corkery.Buckley however has been one of the best Camóg’s the founders UCD have had to offer in the modern 15-aside era winning the title twice in 2007 and 2008. Buckleys success at Ashbourne Cup level however didn’t stop just there as she picked up 4 Ashbourne All Stars between 2006 and 2009 to add to her priceless collection of personal accolades.

Angela Downey (NUI Maynooth/Kilkenny)

It was hard to finish this list and not include the lady considered by many to be the greatest to ever play the game. She was named on the Camogie Team of the Century having picked up 12 All Ireland senior medals over the course of an extraordinary 24 year career. While Downey did not line out for a traditional Ashbourne power house, she almost lead Ashbourne minos Maynooth to one of the greatest shocks in Ashbourne

Cup history against 5-in-a-row chasing UCC. However it wasn’t to be despite Downey’s haul of 2-2 they lost out 2-6 to 3-2 in one of the greatest Ashbourne Cup finals ever.

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DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOOD MENTAL HEALTH? DUBLIN GAA-PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH WITH “I DO” CAMPAIGN This Dublin GAA “I DO” campaign invites all those living and working in Dublin City and County and beyond to join with us and say “I DO” The aim of the campaign is to promote positive mental health awareness at an individual, family, club, and community level across the communities of Dublin City and County and further afield.

The initiative is led out by Dublin’s County Board Secretary John Costello and Dublin football and hurling managers, Jim Gavin and Ger Cunningham. Over 20 well known players from Dublin football, hurling, ladies football and camogie teams have joined t ogether and given their time to be part of and support this very important campaign.

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The World Health Organisation 2014 defines well being as a balance between mental and physical health.

Dublin GAA’s “I DO” campaign aims to further enhance mental health awareness and encourage all of us to “own our mental health” and help to make the discussion mainstream.

The emphasis of the campaign is on: Encouraging 100% of us to acknowledge WE ALL have mental health and “OWN IT” Recognising that mental health needs to be on an equal footing with physical health.

The Dublin GAA “I Do“ campaign sends out the message that you are not alone - people do understand and are there to support you. The message is clear - Lets all support each other in recognising mental health. Join the Dublin GAA “I Do” campaign today and Say “I DO” Dublin GAA Supporting you and your Mental Health with I Do Campaign Further information contact Michael O’Toole (PRO) otoolemicl@eircom.net or Clare O’Sullivan (clare.osullivan@innovate-together.com) Chairman Dublin Health and Wellbeing Committee.

ROI : 116 123 Text : 087 260 90 90

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ROLL OF ASHBOURNE CUP 1915 University College Dublin 1916 University College Dublin 1917 National University of Ireland Galway 1918 University College Dublin 1919 University College Cork 1920 National University of Ireland Galway 1921 University College Dublin 1922 University College Cork 1923 University College Cork 1924 University College Cork 1925 University College Cork 1926 University College Cork 1927 University College Cork 1928 National University of Ireland Galway 1929 University College Cork 1930 National University of Ireland Galway 1931 University College Cork 1932 University College Cork 1933 University College Dublin 1934 University College Cork 1935 University College Dublin 1936 University College Cork 1937 University College Cork 1938 University College Dublin 1939 University College Dublin 1940 University College Dublin 1941 University College Dublin 1942 University College Dublin 1943 Not Played 1944 University College Cork 1945 University College Cork 1946 University College Dublin 1947 University College Cork 1948 National University of Ireland Galway 1949 National University of Ireland Galway 1950 University College Dublin 1951 University College Cork 1952 University College Dublin 1953 University College Dublin 1954 University College Dublin

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1955 University College Dublin 1956 National University of Ireland Galway 1957 National University of Ireland Galway 1958 University College Dublin 1959 University College Dublin 1960 University College Dublin 1961 University College Dublin 1962 University College Dublin 1963 University College Cork 1964 National University of Ireland Galway 1965 University College Cork 1966 University College Dublin 1967 University College Cork 1968 National University of Ireland Galway 1969 University College Dublin 1970 University College Dublin 1971 University College Dublin 1972 University College Cork 1973 University College Cork 1974 University College Cork 1975 University College Cork 1976 University College Cork 1977 University College Cork 1978 National University of Ireland Galway 1979 National University of Ireland Galway 1980 University College Dublin 1981 University College Dublin 1982 University College Dublin 1983 University College Dublin 1984 University College Dublin 1985 University College Cork 1986 University College Dublin 1987 University College Dublin 1988 University College Dublin 1989 National University of Ireland Galway 1990 National University of Ireland Galway 1991 Queen’s University Belfast 1992 University Of Ulster Jordanstown 1993 University Of Ulster Jordanstown 1994 National University of Ireland Galway

HONOUR 1995 University of Limerick 1996 University College Dublin 1997 University Of Ulster Jordanstown 1998 University College Cork 1999 Waterford Institute of Technology 2000 University College Cork 2001 Waterford Institute of Technology 2002 University College Cork 2003 University College Cork 2004 University of Limerick 2005 University of Limerick 2006 University of Limerick 2007 University College Dublin 2008 University College Dublin 2009 Waterford Institute of Technology 2010 Waterford Institute of Technology 2011 Waterford Institute of Technology 2012 Waterford Institute of Technology 2013 Waterford Institute of Technology 2014 University of Limerick

FR. MEACHAIR CUP Originally a 7 a Side competition until 2012 2012 Mary Immaculate 2013 St.Patrick’s 2014 Institute of Technology Carlow

PURCELL CUP 1977 Mary Immaculate 1978 Mary Immaculate 1979 Ulster Poly 1980 Thomond 1981 Thomond 1982 St.Mary’s Belfast 1983 Mary Immaculate 1984 Ulster Poly 1985 no competition 1986 Thomond 1987 Thomond 1988 Thomond 1989 Mary Immaculate 1990 Waterford RTC 1991 Thomond 1992 Waterford RTC 1993 Athlone RTC 1994 UCC 1995 Athlone RTC 1996 Maynooth University 1997 Queen’s University Belfast 1998 Mary Immaculate 1999 Limerick Institute of Technology 2000 University Ulster Jordanstown 2001 Cork Institute of Technology 2002 Institute of Technology Carlow 2003 University Ulster Jordanstown 2004 Athlone Institute of Technology 2005 Garda College 2006 University Ulster Jordanstown 2007 Athlone Institute of Technology 2008 Queen’s University Belfast 2009 Athlone Institute of Technology 2010 Dublin Institute of Technology 2011 Queen’s University Belfast 2012 Dublin City University 2013 Dublin City University 2014 University College Cork

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THANK YOU There are numerous people to thank for the work they have carried out in all aspects of the Ashbourne Weekend, sorry if people are not mentioned by name, but your contribution is noted and appreciated.

CCAO Committee DCU Ashbourne Committee DCU Camogie Club OSL Designers Programme Printers Sponsors Photographer Referees & Official Stewards Dublin Camogie DCU School of Health & Human Performance DCU Sport DCU GAA Academy DCU Club Life Committee DCU Estates DCU NuBar DCU Health & Safety Office DCU Inter Faith Centre

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Mgows ash ad

FREE ENTRY Sat/Sun with a picture of this page!

McGowans of Phibsboro would like to wish all the teams the best of luck in

The Ashbourne Cup

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Picture: Courtesy of The Irish Examiner

ASHBOURNE CUP 1915 Picture: Courtesy the Irish Examiner

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