UCD go into the ESB Irish Senior Cup final aiming to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history as they look to emulate the class of 1951. The task, though, is little different than most other rounds in the competition for the students as their defensive solidity has seen them negotiate ties with last season's club championship finalists Loreto and Hermes.
Add in victory over Belfast Harlequins - becoming the only Leinster side to win in Ulster - and a 3-1 win in their only tie on home turf against the emerging Ulster Elks and it is clear that plenty of Mary Logue's cup experience has rubbed off on her young charges.
Standing in front of them is a side with five players at the opposite end of the spectrum who have seen and experienced much of this before.
The stats speak for themselves when it come to Pegasus' cup pedigree. They go in search of three-in-a-row and an eighth ISC since 1992.
Former internationals Arlene Boyles, Jill Orbinson, Claire McMahon (above, left) Suzanne Beaney and Pamela Magill all line out along with current internationals Alex Speers and Michelle Harvey, all back to retain their title.
The key battle looks set to be how McMahon and Beaney are dealt with by Holly Jenkinson and Megan Tennant-Humphreys (pictured, right). While UCD have international experience up front, it is the miserly defence that has conceded just 12 goals in 17 league games, that has been their base this year.
Thursday night against Pembroke proved a decent run-out though the Belfielders were disappointed not to net one of several corners but should they nick a go-ahead score, Pegs will have a tricky task in front of them.
ESB Women's Irish Senior Cup: UCD vs Pegasus, 3.30pm, Belfield
13 comments:
Good luck ucd! Hope they will improve on recent performances and cause a big upset on sun
C'mon the college!!
best of look college... you can do it !!
such a shame that the lads play off is at 4 in Pembroke so they cant support each other.. very best of luck to both teams!
Best of luck UCD. This is your opportunity to finish a great season on the biggest high of them all. Grab it with both hands!
wooooooooooooooo college!!
great season? what have they done accept get to this final?
bit harsh....and bitter
In response to comment 11.31
Was that really neccessary?
They reached the semi-final of the Leinster senior cup and might still qualify for the IHL, while only narrowly missing out on a IHL semi-final place even though they were the last seeded team in thier group. I agree nothing has been won yet but they are a great side and I just don't think comments like that do anybody any good.
Being in the final is a fantastic ahievement and I wish them the very best of luck tomorrow!
Also in response to 11.31's petty comment - UCD won the varsities earlier in the season...
AND THEY JUST WON THE IRISH SENIOR CUP!!!
To be fair they didnt just win it.......they won it 4-1! anyone know the last time the final was won by that much? or the last time pegasus were beaten by that much?
UCD have beaten teams like hermes, loreto, ballymoney, ulster elks, PEGASUS, harlequins, ucc and pembroke this season and have the third best defensive record in the leinster league. They won the irish senior cup, varsities and reached the semi-final of the leinster cup losing out on a place in the final on strokes. what was that about not achieving much?
Post a Comment