The first half was a to-and-fro affair, with both sides enjoying periods of dominance but the scoreboard was level by half-time.

Doireann O’Sullivan was outstanding for UCC in that opening period, in which she would score seven points.

The Cork attacker was to the fore as the locals scored four points in a row to go 0-7 to 0-5 ahead and they led by 0-10 to 0-7 with only a few minutes remaining before half-time.

A Lorraine O’Shea point for DCU was quickly followed by Rowe’s goal however, and it took a point from UCC’s Megan O’Connell to ensure parity at the break.

DCU took control upon the resumption, as they claimed five of the first six points, three from Rowe and two by Bríd O’Sullivan, to give them a 1-13 to 0-12 advantage.

UCC had hope again when Jennifer Barry netted from O’Sullivan’s pass, but Leah McEnaney and Carol Hegarty had immediate responses for DCU.

Peat’s long-range goal ensured their presence in today’s decider, where they will meet UL, who pulled away from NUI Galway in the second semi-final.

The holders, despite missing manager DJ Collins for the first half as he was attending his brother’s wedding, triumphed by 4-14 to 0-8, having led by 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time.

While a battling NUIG side managed to back to within three points, 0-8 to 0-5, after second-half scores from Emer Fogarty and Olivia Divilly, by the time they scored again UL would have added 3-5 as they began to find their groove.

Caroline McCarthy got the first goal after a lovely Niamh O’Dea pass and then O’Dea and Aileen Wall added more. While Deridre Brennan and Divilly ended Galway’s drought, McCarthy struck for another goal late on.

The Giles Cup final be between Athlone IT and Trinity College while DCU’s second team staged a great comeback to beat the hosts CIT in the Lynch Cup semi-final.

They will play Dublin IT while the Donaghy Cup decider is between Liverpool Hope University and St Patrick’s College.