CLAIRE Kingston knows better than most what it takes to win the Ashbourne Cup. Incredibly, she has claimed three in a row. Even more remarkably, with two different colleges.

‘I’ve got the rub of the green for the last three years!’ the Newcestown player quips, though that hardly tells the story.

Kingston’s latest success came in the colours of University College Cork, where she anchored the defence at full-back as UCC beat UCD to end the college’s 23-year wait for the title. Perhaps the West Cork woman was the lucky charm.

Her previous two triumphs, in 2024 and ’25, arrived with the University of Limerick, including a win over UCC in the 2025 final.

‘Winning it with UCC this season made me realise how special it is because there are players on this team who had to wait a long time for a moment like this,’ Kingston said.

‘There was a lot of heartbreak to get here. When I won the two Ashbournes with UL, we beat UCC in the semi-final the first year and then in the final in 2025.

‘Now I can appreciate how hard this competition is to win, so to win three in a row is something I’m very proud of.’

Claire Kingston (third from left) won her first Ashbourne Cup with UL in 2024. Also pictured, Eadaoin Goggin (Milford), Daire O’Brien (Enniskeane), and Thea Coleman (St Fanahan’s).

After four years in UL, Kingston moved to UCC this year to pursue a Masters in education, while also teaching at Kinsale Community School. The switch brought an unexpected chance to add another medal to her collection.

‘I always wanted to go into teaching, so I’m in UCC now as well as working in Kinsale,’ she explains.

‘Initially it wasn’t on my radar to play college camogie this season, but when the chance came up I took it. I wanted to win another Ashbourne, and it was nice to represent the home college too.’

It’s a move that has paid off, not only adding silverware but also giving Kingston a platform to push her inter-county ambitions. A former All-Ireland minor winner with Cork in 2019, she now has her sights firmly set on making an impact at senior level.

‘It has had one of the biggest impacts on my development as a camogie player. I wouldn’t be the player I am without the Ashbourne Cup,’ she says.

‘Everyone involved has the talent – that’s a given at this level. You’re talking about inter-county standard players. A lot of it is about developing your hurling brain.

‘We work a lot on set-plays, positioning and that tactical side of the game. The analysis is huge too, and both colleges really emphasised that.’

Claire Kingston.

Kingston’s focus now shifts to Cork, where she has been involved with the senior panel since last summer under manager Ger Manley – an opportunity she took at the expense of a planned summer in America.

‘Being involved with the seniors wasn’t on my radar at the start of last year. I had planned to go to America. But when Ger got on to me, I knew an opportunity like that only comes around once, so you have to take it,’ she says.

‘I played with the Cork U23s last season and we reached the All-Ireland final. I’d been called into a few senior sessions during the year, and around June I was brought in properly. That was a great experience.’

Now settled into the senior environment, Kingston is eager to build on her Ashbourne momentum. The signs are promising as she made her first senior Cork start in last weekend’s league opener against Waterford.

‘There’s been a bit of turnover and a lot of new girls have come in. Off the back of the Ashbourne, hopefully I can carry that form into the league,’ she adds, ready for the next chapter after conquering the colleges’ game.