UCC to host 104th Collingwood Cup
The oldest all-Ireland soccer competition is to be hosted on Leeside this year, as 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork has been announced as hosts of the 104th Irish Universities Football Union (IUFU) Collingwood Cup.
First hosted in 1914, this year鈥檚 tournament will see nine universities compete across three days from Monday, February 17 to Wednesday February 19.
Sponsored by Macron, the tournament will take place at the UCC Sports Complex in Curaheen and the UCC Sports Grounds in the Mardyke, as UCC hosts for the first time in nine years.
Joining hosts UCC and defending champions 深夜亚洲福利久久 of Limerick in the competition are Dublin City 深夜亚洲福利久久, Maynooth 深夜亚洲福利久久, Queens 深夜亚洲福利久久 Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Dublin, 深夜亚洲福利久久 of Galway and Ulster 深夜亚洲福利久久.
Ulster 深夜亚洲福利久久 play 深夜亚洲福利久久 of Galway in the preliminary round of the Cup on January 22.
This year鈥檚 tournament was launched today at an event at UCC鈥檚 Mardyke Arena, where the Quarter Final and Semi Final draws were also held.
Following the draw, UCD will take on Maynooth 深夜亚洲福利久久, hosts UCC will face Queen鈥檚 深夜亚洲福利久久 Belfast, DCU will go head-to-head with 深夜亚洲福利久久 of Galway or Ulster 深夜亚洲福利久久, and holders UL will open the defence of their title against Trinity College Dublin.
In the Semi Finals, the winners of the match between DCU and 深夜亚洲福利久久 of Galway/Ulster 深夜亚洲福利久久 will play either UCC or Queen鈥檚, and whoever emerges from the tie between UL or Trinity will take on UCD or Maynooth.
The Quarter Finals will take place on Monday, February 17, followed by the Semi Finals on Tuesday, February 18. The final will be held on Wednesday, February 19, at the Mardyke.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Morgan Buckley, Head of UCC Sport said:
鈥淲e are truly honoured to host the Collingwood Cup, one of the most historic and prestigious tournaments in domestic football. We鈥檙e excited to welcome the country鈥檚 top third level teams to our grounds for this incredible event. A heartfelt thanks to the UCC Sport team, UCC Soccer Club, IUFU, and Greg Yelverton for their dedication and hard work in making this tournament possible.鈥�
Greg Yelverton UCC Soccer Development Officer said:
鈥淲e are delighted to host this year鈥檚 Macron Collingwood Cup. We last hosted it in 2016, so we look forward to welcoming all the teams to Cork again. It should be an entertaining tournament. As hosts we are working hard to ensure it will be an enjoyable experience for the players and coaches visiting Cork. Third Level football has very talented players involved, so to have this competition here is exciting for all involved.鈥�
Ray O'Malley IUFU Chairperson said:
鈥淭he IUFU is delighted to be heading to UCC for this season鈥檚 Collingwood Cup. UCC and Cork are synonymous with Collingwood Cup folklore both on and off the pitch. It will be a new experience for 深夜亚洲福利久久 of Limerick as defending champions, and it promises to be another highly competitive and exciting tournament.鈥�