By Evan Dalton.

DCU Dóchas Éireann Camogie have suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the Ashling Murphy Cup Final after an injury time goal from Ulster University Coleraine. 

The Derry side took victory in the Camogie Association’s Division 5 Cup yesterday at the DCU Sports Grounds. The cup was renamed in honour of Offaly school teacher Ashling Murphy, a former player who was tragically killed in 2022

UUC raced into an early lead, with two goals after just 10 minutes from Caoimhe McAteer and Ceallagh Byrne, but DCU stayed in touch with three points of their own. The score was 2-2 to 0-3. 

Despite the early start, UUC would only score one more point in the first half, and it gave the girls in yellow and navy a chance to re-enter the fixture.

DCU rallied back, led by Kilkenny native and captain Aoife Shealy. They scored 1-2 in the final 10 minutes of the first half to lead by a singular point at the break. 

First blood in the second half went the way of the UUC, with two points within the first 10 minutes. Responsibility was on DCU to fight back once again. 

With ten minutes left, DCU were amidst their comeback, once again. The score stood at 2-7 to 1-10. The momentum was slowly swinging the way of the hosts. 

As DCU led by two points in the dying embers, UUC called on their star performer, player of the match Shannagh Heggarty, who managed to rattle the net moments before the full time whistle blew, breaking the hearts of a valiant DCU side. 

Brian Molloy, President of the Camogie Association, had to hold his bias when presenting the trophy to UUC, as his daughter Aisling played in the final for DCU.

Full Time Score : DCU Dóchas Éireann 1-12 [15] vs Ulster University Coleraine 3-7 [16]

Image Credit: Kyran O’Brien