BY JOHN FALLON
Meath’s double All-Ireland winner Emma Duggan said she was honoured to skipper DCU Dóchas Éireann to their second O’Connor Cup title in a row when they saw off UCC by 2-16 to 2-14 after extra-time in the final.
The champions were also taken to extra-time in Friday’s semi-final at MTU Cork before they eventually saw off TU Dublin by 1-10 to 1-9.
DCU DÉ needed a late point from Maria Cannon to force Saturday’s final to extra-time on a full-time scoreline of UCC’s 2-9 to 1-12.
A goal from Kerri Owens at the start of extra-time was decisive as DCU DÉ held on for their sixth O’Connor Cup title in history.
“We’ve had two very tough days with extra-time, but we said we were going to find the legs today, if we wanted it bad enough,” said Duggan after their win.
“I’m so proud of them, the character they showed to come back when UCC really came into it in the second-half and scored a goal and a point.
“The character to come back time and time again was unbelievable from the girls. I don’t think there was any worry when it went to extra-time, the girls found it in their legs, we wanted it so badly this year they were so hungry, so motivated. I think it showed out there.
“The goal at the start of extra time was a big, big score. Kerri Owens coming on and scoring the goal like it just shows the depth that’s in our squad. All year round, especially the last two days, we’ve needed absolutely everyone on the panel coming on fresh legs and every single person has made an impact and I think showed again there.
“We didn’t want last year to be a flash in the pan. There are a lot of girls there who they’re in their final year. They wanted it so badly. I’m just over the moon with the win.”
UCC manager Joe Carroll said while they were delighted to win the (Division 3) Lynch Cup earlier in the day, they were disappointed not to complete the double and capture the O’Connor Cup for the first time since 2012.
“I’m just so proud of the girls for the effort they not just put in today but all year,” said Carroll. “They have been outstanding and luck just wasn’t with us today against DCU.
“It’s a mixed day as we are delighted to have won the Lynch Cup but it wasn’t to be in the O’Connor Cup.
“But the girls deserve massive praise and I can’t be more proud of them. They are a great bunch and a lot of them are only in first year so will have other opportunities to play and hopefully enjoy success going forward.”
