DCU Dóchas Éireann are Yoplait Ladies HEC O’Connor Cup champions after dethroning 2022 champions UL at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence Air Dome in Bekan.

Seven points separated the sides at the end, with DCU hitting the net three times.

Kate Kenny hit 1-10 for the Dublin outfit, and her goal after just 25 seconds set the game alight.

With just a point between the sides, DCU started the second half as they began the game with Kenny slotting over again before Lousiburgh’s Tara Needham hit the back of the net.

In what was a special day for the Needham family with sisters lining out against one another, Ciara also got on the scoresheet with a point to her name.

UL had a strong Connacht contingent with Nicola Ward (Kilkerrin Clonbeirne) at centre half back, who scored a point. Aoife Molloy (St Furseys) was playing at wing back alongside her Galway team mate.

Tuam Cortoon’s Aoife O’Rourke and Tourlestrane’s Sarah Cunney also got on the scoresheet for the Limerick college.

Maria Reilly of Kiltane and St Farnan’s (Sligo) Claire Dunne also started for DCU.

In addition to this, Sligo’s Gus Chapman was the man at the whistle.

With a strong second half showing, DCU were crowned champions for the fifth time in their history.

 

Full time score from the Connacht COE:

DCU Dóchas Éireann 3-14 (23) University of Limerick 1-13 (16)