The semi-finals and finals of the three intervarsity competitions will be hosted by SETU with the Kelly Cup Final expected to be held in the RSC
The Rustlers WSCAI Intervarsities Finals will return to the south east this year as South East Technological University (WIT) is set to host the finale of the Women’s Third Level Cup competitions on 24 and 25 March 2020.
The finals event was launched in the SETU Arena on Wednesday, 4 December by FIFA Women’s World Cup final match official Michelle O’Neill. O’Neill is a former student of SETU and lifted the Intervarsity Cup, now known as the Kelly Cup, in 1999.
20x20 commitment
Speaking at the event, SETU Novus Sports Manager Thomas Grinsell said, “We are delighted to welcome the Women’s Soccer Intervarsities to SETU, which we last hosted here in 2015. SETU has a long tradition in women’s soccer and as part of our continued commitment to the growth of the game, coupled with our commitment to the 20x20 women in sport campaign, we look forward to hosting this year’s prestigious event.”
The semi-finals and finals of the three intervarsity competitions will be hosted by SETU with the Kelly Cup Final on Wednesday, 25 March expected to be held in the RSC. The remainder of the games will be held at the SETU Arena on WIT’s Wets Campus at Carriganore, Waterford. SETU last hosted the event in 2015.
Draw conducted
There are two rounds still to be played before any team reaches the semi-final stage and all teams learned their paths as the full draw from round three right to the final was conducted by O’Neill and Mike Geoghegan, CEO of SETU Novus. The hosts will face a home quarter final in the Kelly Cup against the winners of the round three tie between UCD and Ulster University before a potential seismic Semi-Final clash with current holders UCC.
UCC will have to overcome the winners of a Limerick derby between Mary Immaculate College, and 14-times winners University of Limerick in their Quarter Final. The losing teams of each Quarter Final will compete in the Lydon Cup Semi-Finals as part of the two-day event.
In the third competition, the O’Regan Cup, holders IT Sligo face a trip to Tralee in the Quarter Finals before a potential clash against the winners of Cork IT or UCD ‘B’ if they are to retain the trophy named after their own Francis O’Regan, a champion for Women’s Football in the college.
Visibility of women’s football
Emma Yourell, Rustlers Assistant Brand Manager said, “Today’s draw marks the beginning of an exciting lead up for the Women’s Intervarsity games as part of Rustlers Third Level Football. We are proud to continue our support of Third Level Football and to bring further visibility to women’s football, too.”
Mike Geoghegan, CEO of SETU Novus said, “WIT Novus and SETU Vikings are delighted to host the WSCAI cup finals to further spotlight Women's and Third Level Sport. Mark Scanlon of the FAI and the various volunteer committees do great work in promoting the opportunities that Third Level Soccer provides and we are excited to lend a helping hand. The SETU Arena looks forward to being a great home for all players, coaches and staff involved.”
Key dates
Round Three Games – the week commencing 3 February 2020.
Quarter Final Games – the week commencing 17 February 2020.
Semi Final Games – 24 March 2020, all games hosted in SETU Arena, Carriganore.
Finals – 25 March 2020, Kelly Cup Final to be hosted in RSC, Waterford, Lydon Cup Final and O’Regan Cup Final to be hosted in SETU Arena, Carriganore.
RUSTLERS WSCAI Kelly Cup - Round Three Draw
University College Dublin v Ulster University
Dublin City University v Trinity College Dublin
Mary Immaculate College v University of Limerick
NUI Galway v Garda College
RUSTLERS WSCAI Kelly Cup – Quarter Final Draw
Waterford IT v UCD or Ulster University
IT Carlow v NUI Galway or Garda College
UCC v Mary Immaculate College or UL
Maynooth University v DCU or Trinity College Dublin
RUSTLERS WSCAI Kelly Cup – Semi Final Draw
Winners of Maynooth University v DCU/TCD v Winners of IT Carlow v NUIG/Garda College
Winners of UCC v MIC/UL v Winners of Waterford IT v UCD/UU
RUSTLERS WSCAI Lydon Cup – Semi Final Draw
Loser of IT Carlow v NUIG/Garda College v Loser of Waterford IT v UCD/UU
Loser of UCC v MIC/UL v Loser of Maynooth University v DCU/TCD
RUSTLERS WSCAI O’Regan Cup – Round Three Draw
University College Cork ‘B’ v Maynooth University ‘B’
RUSTLERS WSCAI O’Regan Cup – Quarter Final Draw
Cork IT v University College Dublin ‘B’
UCC ‘B’ or Maynooth ‘B’ v TU Dublin City Campus
IT Tralee v IT Sligo
Letterkenny IT v TU Dublin Blanchardstown Campus
RUSTLERS WSCAI O’Regan Cup – Semi Final Draw
IT Tralee or IT Sligo v Cork IT or UCD ‘B’
UCC ‘B’/Maynooth University ‘B’ or TU Dublin City Campus v Letterkenny IT or TU Dublin Blanchardstown Campus.