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British Universities Ladies GAA Championship
LIVERPOOL HOPE 3-7
ST. MARY’S
STRAWBERRY HILL 1-12Holders Liverpool Hope are this year’s British University ladies football champions once again.

After a nail-biting finale to a tremendous weekend of football, they finally overcame their great rivals Strawberry Hill by a single point to achieve back-to-back titles at Oxhey Park, Watford on Sunday.

The previous weekend’s activities along with some very inclement weather meant that the tournament which was again arranged for Tir Chonaill Park, Greenford had to be transferred north to Watford for Sunday’s finale.

Apart from the finalists six other teams from Glasgow, Aberdeen-Stirling, Robert Gordon, Sunderland/ Teeside, John Moores Liverpool and Chester contested the coveted final places. Prior to last year’s decider, Strawberry Hill had dominated the competition with an impressive 10 consecutive titles.

The sides had already met in the qualifying stages when Hope also emerged victorious by a single point. However in the decider the Strawberry Hills were determined to gain revenge.

Although Ciara Hayes gave Hope an early lead, the West London college started very strongly and were leading by 0-7 to 0-2 when disaster struck.

After conceding two soft goals in as many minutes, the game was completely transformed just before half-time when the score was Liverpool Hope 2-3 Strawberry Hill 0-7.

A goal from Susie Byrne within a minute of the resumption suddenly turned the tide in favour of Strawberry Hill until they conceded a further goal midway through the second period. However the holders were made to fight all the way to the final whistle before emerging victorious by the narrowest of margins.

Strawberry Hill’s Jackie Shields was awarded the player-of-the-tournament accolade.

Meanwhile in the curtain-raiser Glasgow won the Plate after defeating Chester by 3-6 to 2-7. The Scottish-based college denied Chester a three-in-a-row after taking a 1-4 to 0-2 half-time lead. Glasgow full-back Orla Ní Ghrinagh was awarded the player-of-the-tournament at this level.