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Timid young bachelors the length and breadth of Ireland will be girding their loins this week and heading southwards to observe one of the great spectacles of Irish sport. Yes, it’s that time of the month again as the cream of Ireland’s womanhood gathers to compete for the annual Ashbourne Cup hosted this year by UCC. And, after two days bating the shite out of each other with as much sledging and carnage as any of the lads can manage, the cailini deas will gather in some nefarious venue for an evening of raucous revelry, sinking jager bombs, washed down with God knows what else before accosting some innocent young fella and stealing his flower.

Cathriona Foley, who captained Cork to All Ireland glory in September, will lead the UCC challenge along with her inter-county team-mate Orla Cotter, Tipp players Jill Horan and Aoife McLoughney and Kilkenny’s Amy Butler.

They meet 2008 beaten finalists WIT in Saturday’s semi-final who will look to Wexford star Ursula Jacob. Her return of 1-07 in last year’s semi-final ensured a premature exit for UCC. She will be supported by Kilkenny duo Keeva Fennelly and Ann Dalton while Therese Shortt from the Premier County will lend her inter-county experience to the side.

Foley is excited about UCC’s chances. “We played well enough in the quarter-final, and we hope we can continue our form. There is so much talent out there, so we will take nothing for granted.”

UCC’s chances are further boosted by a strong backroom team of current Cork inter-county players Aoife Murray and Mary O’Connor.

Favourites and Cup holders UCD travel south in fine form. Ashbourne player of the tournament from last year Susie O’Carroll (Kildare) lines out with Cork star Rena Buckley who will come face to face with her county colleagues.

Said Buckley “We’re looking forward to the weekend with four very good teams in the semi-finals. We’re up against CIT so we’re focusing on that match first. We’re hoping to get into the final and as everyone knows anything can happen in a final, especially an Ashbourne final.”

Sisters Una and Mary Lacey (Wexford) make this formidable UCD side Cup favourites in their bid for three-in-a-row.

The Dubliners take on underdogs CIT, who will be reliant on Tipperary’s Julie McGrath, as well as Eimear O’Sullivan, Michelle Browne and Charlotte Kearney.

In the Ashbourne Shield, NUIG take on Garda College Saturday afternoon followed by UUJ vs UL.

Ashbourne Fixtures

Ashbourne Cup Saturday 21st – Venue Mardyke

UCC V WIT 1.30pm REF Eamonn Browne

UCD V CIT 3.15pm REF Cathal Egan.

Ashbourne Shield Saturday 21st – Venue UCC Farm

NUIG V Garda College 1.30pm REF Ollie Webb

UUJ V UL 315pm REF John Morrissey

Ashbourne Cup Sunday 22nd Final Pairc Ui Rinn

Time 3.30pm. REF Eamonn Browne

Ashbourne Shield Final Sunday 22nd – Venue UCC Farm

1.15pm REF Cathal Egan