Champions University of Limerick will put their title on the line when they take on DCU Dóchas Éireann in an eagerly-awaited Yoplait Ladies HEC O'Connor Cup final today (4.15pm).
The two form sides in this year's competition go into the final at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome on the back of each scoring seven goals in Friday’s semi-finals.
UL, who are bidding for their third title in a row, defeated Queen’s University, Belfast by 7-14 to 1-9, while DCU, looking for their fifth crown and first since 2018, beat TU Dublin by 7-14 to 2-10.
A unique aspect of this year’s finals will be the fact that the Needham sisters from Mayo will be on opposite sides, with Tara representing DCU while Ciara will don the UL jersey.
The Louisburgh pair are key players for their respective sides, Tara notching 1-2 in her side’s facile win over TU Dublin while Ciara pulled the strings from midfield in UL’s impressive win.
Three-in-a-row-chasers UL are seeking a record-extending 14th win overall. However, UL joint manager DJ Collins insists the records are not a point of focus.
"It’s not something we are focusing on," he said. "It would be great for the university and the club but for the players it’s not something they focus on. Each year we have a new team and it’s their team.
"Yes, as a tradition going forward it’s brilliant and it helps those who are in first year have something to look forward to and those that are in Leaving Cert that want to come to UL can see that tradition is there.
"For the players themselves what’s gone on in the past doesn’t matter. They have a sole focus on themselves and their team this week.
DCU Selector Pat Ring believes his side’s semi-final victory will give the Dublin college a confidence boost as they appear in their first decider since winning in 2018.
"We went in to the semi-final last year red hot favourites and were turned over by UCC. That can happen to any team if you take your eye off the ball. We didn’t take our eye off the ball and to be fair there are two teams that will be going for it. We will have a go that’s for sure."
"The first 40 minutes of the semi-final were really good. We need to bring that forward because it will be a tough game."
This will be the fourth time University of Limerick and DCU Dóchas Éireann meet in the final, with the Dublin college victorious in 2009 and 2018, while UL prevailed when they met in 2015.
The O’Connor Cup final will be preceded by the Lynch Cup final between ATU Donegal and UCC at 2pm, with Ulster University taking on MTU Kerry in the Giles Cup final at noon.
