With 9 senior internationals on the squad, the UCD Ladies Hockey team went into this years intervarsities, hosted by UCC, with a strong favourites tag.

In the group stages the team won by more than comfortable margins; 7-0, 6-0 and 10-1 against skull and crossbones, nuig and cit respectively. They used these matches to offer experience to people in different positions to see what options there were within this fantastic squad for the coming year, including an interesting spell of Emily Beatty , one of the star forwards , as goalkeeper!

As the team progressed from the group stages in top position with a healthy goal difference of 22 in just 3 games, they were drawn against UCC in the semi-final.

The match which was played at 8.30am was a challenge and big step up from the group stages. A very physical encounter, saw the girls putting their fast ball pace and skilful forwards to good use. UCD progressed with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Irish senior international Anna O'Flanagan(4th year Law and Economics) and Caroline Hill(3rd year Physiotherapy).

Queens University Belfast won their semi final 1-0 against fellow northerners University of Ulster which determined the final.

The final was a very clean affair with good hockey from both sides. UCD were clinical and in control for the whole match and won comfortably 4-0(Jeamie Deacon x2, Emily Beatty, Caroline Hill) to claim the Chilean Cup for the 3rd year in row.

The next game is this Saturday in the Leinster league where the team continue to defend the title and meet fellow varsities competitor Trinity, who finished 7th at the weekend.