RONAYNE’S EYES ON CUP GLORY WITH UCC

LADIES FOOTBALL: UCC manager Shane Ronayne is quietly confident that his charges can end University of Limerick’s reign as Gourmet Food Parlour O’Connor Cup holders.

The colleges clash this afternoon for the right to face off against DCU or UCD in tomorrow’s final, a tie that will be screened live on the Spórt TG4 YouTube channel.

The UL-UCC clash is a repeat of last year’s decider, which saw UL claim a third title in four years. But Ronayne, who’s guided Tipperary to four wins from four outings in Division 2 of the Lidl National League, is no stranger to GFP O’Connor Cup success himself, as he was in charge in 2012 when UCC were victorious.

Ronayne, however, is aware of the scale of the task facing his UCC side at IT Blanchardstown, when they face off against a powerful UL side managed by DJ Collins and captained by Laurie Ryan (pictured). Ronayne said: “Look, we’ve a huge task against UL. We played them in the league and they gave us a hiding.

“They have a massive panel. I know a lot of them. They beat us in the final last year.” UCC saw off NUI Galway by 3-11 to 0-5 to book a spot in the last four, as Cork’s Hannah Looney contributed 1-6.

Two-goal star Geraldine Power was another to impress while Power’s Waterford colleague Megan Dunford and Cork’s Libby Coppinger are other notable UCC players.

But Ronayne insists that league finalists UL and DCU, who are opposite sides of the semi-final draw, are the teams to watch.