AMY McCarthy’s feet landed firmly back on the ground on Tuesday as she returned to the corridors of UCC, just two days after the college captured the Ashbourne Cup.

‘It was a mandatory day!’ the Clonakilty woman laughs, still basking in the glow of UCC’s emphatic 2-15 to 0-7 victory over UCD at DCU Sportsgrounds in Dublin.

It was the first time the Cork college had claimed camogie’s premier third-level title in 23 years; for context, McCarthy wasn’t even born the last time UCC lifted the trophy.

‘This season we didn’t focus too much on how long it had been, but of course we were aware of it,’ she says.

‘There was a real hunger in the group and a sense that this was a great chance to do something special.

‘When we beat UL in the semi-final, we really felt we had a chance. We knew if we performed in the final we’d be there or thereabouts.’

Amy McCarthy, Niamh McNabola and Grace Moloney celebrate UCC's win. (Photo: Tom O’Hanlon/INPHO)

UCC blew UCD away in a dominant display, inspired by Sarah O’Brien, who finished with 2-2. The Cork side led 0-9 to 0-1 at half-time, with UCD taking 23 minutes to register their opening score. When UCC added the first four points of the second half, the result was beyond doubt.

Wing-back McCarthy also chipped in with a point as she completed her first Ashbourne Cup campaign with a winners’ medal.

‘It’s brilliant to be part of this team – it’s a great bunch of girls,’ says the first-year engineering student.

‘This is my first year on the panel and everyone has been so welcoming. Sarah, who got player of the match, is one of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. It’s a lovely group to be involved with.

‘We were celebrating in The Rock on Monday and had such a great time. That’s when it really started to hit home that we had won the Ashbourne Cup.’

All smiles after UCC's win were Claire Kingston, Meave Murphy and Grace Moloney. (Photo: Tom O’Hanlon/INPHO)

McCarthy and Newcestown’s Claire Kingston flew the West Cork flag on the UCC team. Remarkably, this was Kingston’s third Ashbourne Cup title in a row, having won with UL in 2024 and ’25.

‘Claire is so good, so strong and solid in the full-back line,’ McCarthy says.

McCarthy herself is no stranger to success, having won three underage All-Ireland camogie titles with Cork, twice at U16 level and once at minor.

‘This is one of my biggest wins, one of the sweetest. Ashbourne level is only one step below senior,’ she explains.

‘Initially the physicality was daunting, but I found my feet quickly. The game is faster, more physical, and I loved every minute of it. I’m so grateful I got the opportunity to play.

‘We have such a strong squad, with so many involved in inter-county panels, so to line out alongside them and help UCC win the Ashbourne Cup again is a great feeling.’