Held in Cork on the weekend of 10th-12th February the 2011/12 Fresher’s squad under the guidance of newly appointed management team of Tom Rowley, Karl Mulligan & Stephen Merriman arrived in "the real capital” with genuine pretensions of winning the trophy for the first time since 1997. The Northern Universities had decided not to travel to the event and accordingly 7 teams remained to participate.

 

Quarter Final:

Dublin University 3-1 University of Limerick

1-0 down with 20 minutes remaining in the game and any early confidence looked seriously misguided. However 2 late goals from Kilkenny native Eamon Conway and a rebounded penalty from Captain and ex Drogheda United player Jack Reynolds ensured victory was achieved despite nerves being severely frayed.

 

Semi Final:

Dublin University 1-2 UCD

A spectacular early goal from electric winger, Rotoath man, Daragh Timoney gave College a richly deserved half time lead against tournament favourites UCD. Unfortunately the refreshed Stillorgan outfit who had received a bye into the semi-final scored 2 second half goals to run out 2-1 winners in a keenly contested game where extra time was the minimum that was deserved by the team.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

03 January 2012

Manager Diarmuid McNally got an early Christmas present when holders UCD  received a bye into the semi finals of this seasons Harding Cup.

With only seven universities entered it was a welcome lucky break for the holders who will now prepare to bid for a third successive victory in the Irish Universities major competition for First Year Students. 

UCD started their recent run of victories in the Harding Cup by capturing the trophy two years ago in Galway with a comfortable win over the University of Limerick. While last year they managed to overcome the hosts NUI Maynooth 1-0 to retain the cup for a second year. 

This seasons’ competition will be hosted by UCC from February 10 -12 with the final set for Cork’s Mardyke Arena on Sunday February 12.

UCD are set to face the winners of the University of Limerick and Dublin University (Trinity College) quarter final tie in their semi final clash on Saturday February 11.

Unfortunately the no show by the four Northern Universities- Belfast’s Queens plus the Universities of Ulster at Jordanstown, Coleraine and Magee has reduced the entries to seven and as a result no decision on the format of the Harding Plate has yet been made.

IRISH UNIVERSITIES HARDING CUP DRAW

Friday February 10 2012

Quarter Finals

DCU v UCC; University of Limerick v Dublin University; NUI Maynooth v NUI Galway; bye UCD.

Saturday February 11 2012

Semi Finals

University of Limerick or Dublin University v UCD; DCU or UCC v NUI Maynooth or NUI Galway.

Sunday February 12 2012

Harding Cup Final.