NUI Galway were forced to bow out of the HEC Yoplait O’Connor Cup tournament, losing their semi-final to UL by 4-13 to 1-12.
Eva Noone was in excellent form for the Galway university, but it was not enough to stop UL, led by captain Fiadhna Tangney who hit 1-6, who went on to claim their seventh straight title with a 0-12 to 0-11 over UCC.
Four second-half goals were the difference with Tangney, Ailish Morrissey, Hannah O’Donoghue and Erika O’Shea all finding the net for DJ Collins’ side.
NUI Galway had led by 0-6 to 0-3 at the break thanks to a strong opening quarter with Noone scoring two points from frees in the first three minutes. Tangney had scored at the other end before Noone added two more scores.Erone Fitzpatrick opened her account for UL before Lauren McGregor cancelled that out from a free. Noone scored another free before Morrissey pointed to ensure NUI Galway led by 0-6 to 0-3 at the break. Noone kept her side in the game until the winners posted two goals to take a 2-11 to 0-9 lead at the second water break.
A third goal on the resumption put the game to bed, although NUI Galway scored a consolation through Eimear O’Kane.
NUI Galway: K Connolly; C Crowe, K Kearney, E Corley; H Noone, M Duggan, E O’Kane; L Ahearne, A Geraghty; S Regan, L McGregor, C Keon; E Noone, N Daly, E Nerney. Subs: L Booth for Nerney (30 ), K Geraghty for Corley (36 ), K Shannon for Daly (39 ), K Mee for Kearney (43 ), A McDonnell for Keon (48 ).Referee: M Farrelly (Cavan ).
