UL recorded an excellent victory when first played second in this Umbro Colleges and Universities Premier League clash in Week 9. This win sends UL to the top of the Southern Premier Division table and the healthy goal difference also means that UL are now in pole position for a home quarter final if they win their remaining games against UCC and Colaiste Stiofain Naofa.
The game was played under lights on an excellent Desmond league pitch in Askeaton that enabled a free flowing game despite all the wet weather that had rendered the UL 10 acres pitches unplayable.
The home side hit the ground running. After 5 minutes a good through ball from Jamie Richardson found Limerick FC's Dave McGrath inside the penalty area. McGrath, playing with huge confidence after an excellent display vs. UCD in Limerick's heartbreaking U20s quarter final defeat on penalties to UCD the previous weekend controlled the ball perfectly with his first touch. His second touch was even better as he calmly placed the ball low to the Tralee Keeper's right and UL were one up.
UL were really dominating in the middle of the field now and should have had a second when Dan Goggin hit a post with a powerful header from an excellent Walsh corner. It was not long before they got their reward as Waterford Utd.'s Paul Walsh, who had earlier tested the keeper from outside the area when cutting in from the left went one better with another low drive from 20 yard that fairly rattled into the net. This score would have been the highlight of many games but better was still to come. UL went 3 up with a lovely 11 pass move that started with Tomas Barrett at left full back. Nice interplay with Paul Walsh made space for Brendan Daly who was able to switch the play to Dan Goggin on the right wing with a raking 40 yard pass. Goggin made great ground up the right thanks to another give and go with Richardson. More swift interplay put John O'Leary in on the overlap. The pull back from the byeline was controlled by McGrath who coolly finished low into the bottom left hand corner. A simply wonderful goal that was right out of the top drawer.
UL now relaxed a little, perhaps thinking that the job was already over. Tralee came into things and Enda Joyce the UL keeper began to have more of a role. 10 minutes before the break Tralee scored when a cross from the left wing was not dealt with properly and the clearance came to a Tralee player outside the box who scored with an excellent drive that went in off the underside of the crossbar. This goal underlined the threat posed by Tralee and meant that UL manager Trevor Lovell had little trouble in galvanising his charges at halftime. It was clear that Lovell's halftime words of wisdom had the desired effect as UL clearly upped the tempo once again. They were rewarded 10 minutes in as a cross from Walsh on the left was met by Brian Cleary just inside the penalty area. UL's World University Games star had plenty to do but conjured up a deft looping header that gave the Tralee keeper no chance to leave the score at 4-1. McGrath completed the scoring and his own hat-trick on 70 minutes when he calmly converted a rebound from his own shot.
All in all this was a great night for UL soccer that should fill everyone with hope for some of the bigger challenges that lie ahead for the rest of the season.
23rd October 2009
UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK TEAMS KICK-OFF LEAGUE CAMPAIGNS
The UL Teams have all tasted action in their respective leagues in the last two weeks and are looking forward to the rest of the season.
The Mens Senior team opened their defence of the CUFL Premier Division with a comfortable 5-0 victory over CIT in Cork. Scorers on the day were John O'Leary, Jamie Richardson, Niall Stack, Martin Deady and Niall Prendergast. This week th lads travelled to WIT looking to continue their winning ways. With a depleted squad they went 1 up but conceded shortly after. A 1-1 draw was the final result.
The Ladies Seniors are also looking to retain their Premier Division title and are going for a three-in-a-row. Their opening league fixture was against a resilientUCC side. In a tough battle both sides could not be seperated and a 1-1 draw was the result. The girls second game against CSN this week was postponed due to the inclusion of Julie-Anne Russell in the Irish Senior squad to face Russia and Kazakhstan. Best of luck Julie-Anne.
The Mens B team faced Mary I in their opening fixture in the CUFL First Division. It was a tough outing for th lads ending up losing 4-0. Their second game saw them face another Limerick team in LIT. The lads equalised during the second half but ended up on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline.
The final team in action was the newly formed Mens C team in the CUFL Second Division. Their first ever game saw them take on Tipperary Institute. Unfortunately the lack of fitness showed for our lads and went down 3-1 on the day.
25th September 2009
Action From the UL Mens 7-a-side
The Annual UL Mens 7-a-side took place in glorious weather this week with 14 teams competing throughout the week.
The group stages were very competitive with no team looking like they would have an easy run. With the top two from each group reaching the cup Q/F a lot of tired bodies fought to the end to make it. The four groups were played out over Monday and Tuesday evening before the knockouts started on Wednesday. Again the Q/F were very competitive as were the Plate Semi-Finals.
Eventually the top two teams competed in the Cup Final on Thursday evening. Congratulations to the winning side of Eamon Walsh, Terence Moriarty, James Coffey, James O'Donoghue, Jack Sherwood and Denis Sheahan.
Pictured below are the Cup Runners-UP; Darragh Downey, Gavin Manifold, Peter Barron, John Sheahan, Adam Moursy, Eoin Keating and San Mallen
25th September 2009
Action From the UL Ladies 5-a-side
The UL Ladies got a taste of the club this week when they took part in a newly formed 5-a-side which took place in glorious weather. In all there were 6 teams competing throughout the week.
The group stages were played out on Tuesday evening with the team consisting of many Senior Girls showing good form to top their group and advance to the Semi-Finals. On the other side Team 2 looked strong and matched the Senior girls by also topping their group in emphatic fashion.
Going into the semi-finals Team 2 and Team 6 were the ones on form and so it proved as both advanced to the final. The final was well contested but in the end it was Team 6 who came out on top.
Pictured below are the UL Ladies 5-a-side Cup Winners; Sarah Considine, Kacey O'Driscoll, Jenny Critchley, Sarah Kiely and Laoise O'Driscoll. Missing; Richael O'Brien and Aoife Herbert.
7th September 2009
University of Limerick Soccer Club Sign Up
The University of Limerick is back in full action now with Freshers and Seniors back in the University. In a bid to surpass the achievements of last year the UL Soccer Club are looking for all players to come and sign up on Wednesday night the 9th September in the University Arena from 6pm to 9pm. We will have sign up desks and a Skills School set up for anybody that is interested.
5th February 2009
Harding Cup Kicks Off in Limerick
The first game of the Harding Cup took place in the University of Limerick today. UCD took on NUIG in the Preliminary Round with the winners to advance to the Quarter Finals. Despite the cold conditions the game was played at a very high tempo throughout. UCD looked very good from the beginning and things looked ominous for the Galway lads. However they quickly settled and their superior size and strength started to get them back into the game. At half time both teams went in level and it was a very hard game to call. UCD again came flying out of the traps in the second half but just could not overpower the NUIG team. With 20 minutes to go a deflected cross fell to Ger Chivers of NUIG who calmly finished on the half volley. Some resolute defending from the Galway lads means that they advance to meet UCC in the Quarter Finals tomorrow at the University of Limerick.
6th November 2008
UL last Saturday hosted the WSCAI Freshers Intervarsity. It was a great for all and in the end CCFE won the tournament by beating UL 2-1 in the final.
5th November 2009
McGrath Hat-Trick Sends UL Top of the Table
UL 5 IT Tralee 1
UL recorded an excellent victory when first played second in this Umbro Colleges and Universities Premier League clash in Week 9. This win sends UL to the top of the Southern Premier Division table and the healthy goal difference also means that UL are now in pole position for a home quarter final if they win their remaining games against UCC and Colaiste Stiofain Naofa.
The game was played under lights on an excellent Desmond league pitch in Askeaton that enabled a free flowing game despite all the wet weather that had rendered the UL 10 acres pitches unplayable.
The home side hit the ground running. After 5 minutes a good through ball from Jamie Richardson found Limerick FC's Dave McGrath inside the penalty area. McGrath, playing with huge confidence after an excellent display vs. UCD in Limerick's heartbreaking U20s quarter final defeat on penalties to UCD the previous weekend controlled the ball perfectly with his first touch. His second touch was even better as he calmly placed the ball low to the Tralee Keeper's right and UL were one up.
UL were really dominating in the middle of the field now and should have had a second when Dan Goggin hit a post with a powerful header from an excellent Walsh corner. It was not long before they got their reward as Waterford Utd.'s Paul Walsh, who had earlier tested the keeper from outside the area when cutting in from the left went one better with another low drive from 20 yard that fairly rattled into the net. This score would have been the highlight of many games but better was still to come. UL went 3 up with a lovely 11 pass move that started with Tomas Barrett at left full back. Nice interplay with Paul Walsh made space for Brendan Daly who was able to switch the play to Dan Goggin on the right wing with a raking 40 yard pass. Goggin made great ground up the right thanks to another give and go with Richardson. More swift interplay put John O'Leary in on the overlap. The pull back from the byeline was controlled by McGrath who coolly finished low into the bottom left hand corner. A simply wonderful goal that was right out of the top drawer.
UL now relaxed a little, perhaps thinking that the job was already over. Tralee came into things and Enda Joyce the UL keeper began to have more of a role. 10 minutes before the break Tralee scored when a cross from the left wing was not dealt with properly and the clearance came to a Tralee player outside the box who scored with an excellent drive that went in off the underside of the crossbar. This goal underlined the threat posed by Tralee and meant that UL manager Trevor Lovell had little trouble in galvanising his charges at halftime. It was clear that Lovell's halftime words of wisdom had the desired effect as UL clearly upped the tempo once again. They were rewarded 10 minutes in as a cross from Walsh on the left was met by Brian Cleary just inside the penalty area. UL's World University Games star had plenty to do but conjured up a deft looping header that gave the Tralee keeper no chance to leave the score at 4-1. McGrath completed the scoring and his own hat-trick on 70 minutes when he calmly converted a rebound from his own shot.
All in all this was a great night for UL soccer that should fill everyone with hope for some of the bigger challenges that lie ahead for the rest of the season.
23rd October 2009
UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK TEAMS KICK-OFF LEAGUE CAMPAIGNS
The UL Teams have all tasted action in their respective leagues in the last two weeks and are looking forward to the rest of the season.
The Mens Senior team opened their defence of the CUFL Premier Division with a comfortable 5-0 victory over CIT in Cork. Scorers on the day were John O'Leary, Jamie Richardson, Niall Stack, Martin Deady and Niall Prendergast. This week th lads travelled to WIT looking to continue their winning ways. With a depleted squad they went 1 up but conceded shortly after. A 1-1 draw was the final result.
The Ladies Seniors are also looking to retain their Premier Division title and are going for a three-in-a-row. Their opening league fixture was against a resilientUCC side. In a tough battle both sides could not be seperated and a 1-1 draw was the result. The girls second game against CSN this week was postponed due to the inclusion of Julie-Anne Russell in the Irish Senior squad to face Russia and Kazakhstan. Best of luck Julie-Anne.
The Mens B team faced Mary I in their opening fixture in the CUFL First Division. It was a tough outing for th lads ending up losing 4-0. Their second game saw them face another Limerick team in LIT. The lads equalised during the second half but ended up on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline.
The final team in action was the newly formed Mens C team in the CUFL Second Division. Their first ever game saw them take on Tipperary Institute. Unfortunately the lack of fitness showed for our lads and went down 3-1 on the day.
25th September 2009
Action From the UL Mens 7-a-side
The Annual UL Mens 7-a-side took place in glorious weather this week with 14 teams competing throughout the week.
The group stages were very competitive with no team looking like they would have an easy run. With the top two from each group reaching the cup Q/F a lot of tired bodies fought to the end to make it. The four groups were played out over
Monday and Tuesday evening before the knockouts started on Wednesday. Again the Q/F were very competitive as were the Plate Semi-Finals.
Eventually the top two teams competed in the Cup Final on Thursday evening. Congratulations to the winning side of Eamon Walsh, Terence Moriarty, James Coffey, James O'Donoghue, Jack Sherwood and Denis Sheahan.
Pictured below are the Cup Runners-UP; Darragh Downey, Gavin Manifold, Peter Barron, John Sheahan, Adam Moursy, Eoin Keating and San Mallen
25th September 2009
Action From the UL Ladies 5-a-side
The UL Ladies got a taste of the club this week when they took part in a newly formed 5-a-side which took place in glorious weather. In all there were 6 teams competing throughout the week.
The group stages were played out on Tuesday evening with the team consisting of many Senior Girls showing good form to top their group and advance to the Semi-Finals. On the other side Team 2 looked strong and matched the Senior girls by also topping their group in emphatic fashion.
Going into the semi-finals Team 2 and Team 6 were the ones on form and so it proved as both advanced to the final. The final was well contested but in the end it was Team 6 who came out on top.
Pictured below are the UL Ladies 5-a-side Cup Winners; Sarah Considine, Kacey O'Driscoll, Jenny Critchley, Sarah Kiely and Laoise O'Driscoll. Missing; Richael O'Brien and Aoife Herbert.
7th September 2009
University of Limerick Soccer Club Sign Up
The University of Limerick is back in full action now with Freshers and Seniors back in the University. In a bid to surpass the achievements of last year the UL Soccer Club are looking for all players to come and sign up on Wednesday night the 9th September in the University Arena from 6pm to 9pm. We will have sign up desks and a Skills School set up for anybody that is interested.
5th February 2009
Harding Cup Kicks Off in Limerick
The first game of the Harding Cup took place in the University of Limerick today. UCD took on NUIG in the Preliminary Round with the winners to advance to the Quarter Finals. Despite the cold conditions the game was played at a very high tempo throughout. UCD looked very good from the beginning and things looked ominous for the Galway lads. However they quickly settled and their superior size and strength started to get them back into the game. At half time both teams went in level and it was a very hard game to call. UCD again came flying out of the traps in the second half but just could not overpower the NUIG team. With 20 minutes to go a deflected cross fell to Ger Chivers of NUIG who calmly finished on the half volley. Some resolute defending from the Galway lads means that they advance to meet UCC in the Quarter Finals tomorrow at the University of Limerick.
6th November 2008
UL last Saturday hosted the WSCAI Freshers Intervarsity. It was a great for all and in the end CCFE won the tournament by beating UL 2-1 in the final.