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PURCELL CUP SEMI FINAL ROUND UP
QUB and DCU set up a repeat of the 2011 Purcell Cup Final when they overcame their semi final opponents, DIT and NUI Maynooth respectively today at the WIT Sports Campus.
DCU v NUIM
In the opening match of the Ashbourne and Purcell weekend, DCU played NUI Maynooth in the semi final of the Purcell Cup. An early start for both teams with an 11am throw in but it was NUIM who settled quickest and the Kildare College scored 1-02 before DCU finally got on the score board almost fifteen minutes into the half with a point from centre back Emma Brennan. NUIM had the advantage of a strong breeze but it was DCU who were quickest out of the blocks. DCU began to dominate in half back and midfield line with Brennan and Captain Laura Twomey to the fore. DCU full forward Aoife Bulger scored a goal for the Dublin College to draw the match before Louise Walsh scored two points for NUIM.
Half Time Score DCU 1-04 v NUIM 1-05
The second half was all DCU. NUIM only managed to score a point against the breeze while DCU managed to rack on 4-08. The goals coming from Catroina Regan, Orlaith Durkan and Miriam Twomey. DCU will now go through to the Purcell Cup Final to set up a repeat of the 2011 Final against QUB.
QUB v DIT
In the second match on the day QUB took advantage of the strong win in the first half with a commanding performance in which they scored three goals. DIT opened the scoring with a pointed free from corner forward Paula McGrath, this proved to be their only score of the first half despite good ball going into their forward line. QUB joint captain Sinead Cassidy was causing havoc at centre forward with some strong running. Two pointed frees from Ciara Donnelly settled the Belfast college and they scored 3-05 without reply. Their half forward line of Grainne McNicholl, Sinead Cassidy and Ciara Donnelly were beginning to dominate and the DIT defence was coming under severe pressure. Two goals within two minutes from Donnelly and McNicholl set Queens on their way, followed by points from Maroisa McGourty and an excellent solo effort from Sinead Cassidy.
Half Time score QUB 3-07 v DIT 0-01
Scores were scarce in the second half with DIT failing to take advantage of the wind. The Queens half back line of Rachel Kelly, Kerri Crossey and Mairead Short stood strong against the DIT attacks and in truth the Dublin College never looked like troubling the Queens defence. Despite QUB playing against the breeze they managed to dominate possession but were wasteful with their shot selection. Points from Louise McAleese and a free from Ciara Donnelly kept the score board ticking over before DIT’s full forward Niamh Byrne scored two frees, followed by a point from Paula McGrath. Queens finished the match with a goal following excellent team play between Mariosa McGourty and Louise McAleese. McGourty made a strong run through the DIT defence and handpassed to McAleese who played a fine ball to substitute Leanne McCrystal and she duly rattled the net.
FINAL SCORE QUB 4-07 v DIT 0-04