UCC Sport Round up: UCC Teams Continue to Impress on the Basketball Court
By Sam Curtin With so much sport happening over the past couple of weeks involving UCC, it is time to look at some of the highlights across a range of sports.BasketballIt has been a successful couple of weeks for UCC basketball in both men’s and women’s competitions.There is nowhere else to start than with The Address UCC Glanmire who won the MissQuote.ie Super League after claiming an 80-54 win at DCU Mercy last Sunday week. Not only was it their first super league title since 2017 but it also completed an historic double after winning the National Cup in January. Mark Scannell’s side will have collected the trophy at their last home game against Trinity Meteors by the time this is published.Carrie Shepard has been an instrumental figure for the side this season and helped herself to 25 points ensuring another top scoring game. Tierney Pfirman had 14 points and Claire Melia had 10.After the game, Scannell was understandably, in a joyous mood in what has been a special year for the club. "We’re delighted, we’ve had a very, very good season, the girls were very focussed all year and worked very hard and they deserve everything they get today." Thoughts over the next couple of months will turn to next season as UCC Glanmire will look to retain both trophies and establish a dynasty to match the appetite that exists for basketball in Cork. If they can recruit smartly while also retain the likes of Shepard and Melia, then there is no reason why they won’t be contending for top honours again next season.As for the men, UCC Blue Demons ensured top spot in the Southern Conference of the InsureMyVan.ie Super League after they defeated IT Carlow 81-72 in a top of the table clash at the Mardyke Arena last Sunday week. Toby Christensen top scored for Demons while Irish international Kyle Hosford was also very influential chipping in with 14 points. This victory puts them on 42 points and an impressive 14-1 record. It also extends their lead at the top of the conference to 9 points. By the time this issue comes out, they will have played Portlaoise Panthers away. Dan O’Mahony’s side will look to finish the regular season with a win to maintain momentum going into the play-offs later this month.RugbyIt has been an excellent couple of weeks for UCC Rugby in the SSI competitions. Both the men’s and women’s teams have qualified for finals. The men defeated GMIT 28-5 in the semi-finals to book their place in the final tomorrow. The women’s team overcame NUIG 31-5 to qualify for the final which will also take place tomorrow in what promises to be an exciting double header. Venues and opponents to be confirmed.SoccerNo less than seven players are part of the Cork City women’s squad for the 2022 WNL season which began last Saturday week. This is a testament to the work going on in not just UCC but in the whole of Cork.RugbyThe annual Colours game made its return after a two year absence last Saturday week. Unfortunately for the college they lost out to UCD 33-12 at the Mardyke. They play Landsdowne at the Aviva Stadium Sunday March 27th before preparing to take on Ballynahinch in a relegation play-off.HockeyThe great work being done by UCC Hockey continues to make headlines as Caoimhe Perdue has been named in Sean Dancer’s 25 player squad for this summer’s World Cup and Euro Hockey Qualifiers which take place in July and August respectively.What to Look Out ForThere is plenty more action this week. Both archery and table tennis have intervarsity events this week in UL and UCD respectively. There is also women’s hockey and Olympic handball taking place at the Mardyke Arena.For more results and upcoming fixtures, check out the new revamped UCC Sports website at www.ucc.ie/en/sport/ .