Large Mayo contingent as Sigerson Cup gets underway

THE prestigious Sigerson Cup third level championship got underway this week with 32 Mayo players involved.

On Tuesday night, the reigning champions DCU got their campaign off to an impressive start when they overcame a talented Ulster University side in Burren, County Down. On the DCU side, Claremorris player Darragh Joyce started at midfield while Westport’s Finbar McLaughlin was among the substitutes. The Dublin based students ran out comprehensive winners as they recorded a fine tally of 3-13 while their Ulster opponents got 0-8 on the scoreboard. 

On Wednesday evening, there were plenty of Mayo representatives in action as ATU Galway, University of Limerick, ATU Sligo, University of Galway and UCD were all in action.

Down south, MTU Cork hosted a UL side stacked with Mayo representatives in what turned out to be a competitive affair. The Limerick students had Castlebar’s Sean Morahan, Kilmaine’s Hugh O’Loughlin, Westport’s Conal Dawson starting while the full forward line consisted of Davitts’ Jack Melvin, Moy Davitts’ Cian McHale and Ballina’s Frank Irwin. Irwin had a fine game kicking 0-7 while McHale kicked 0-4. Among the UL substitutes were Davitts pair Dylan O’Brien and Cathal Corless alongside Moy Davitts’ Colm McHale, Crossmolina’s Diarmuid Goggins and Parke’s Cathal Keaveney. Garrymore’s Eoin McGreal is also part of the UL squad. Trailing by one at the break, the Limerick students ran out five-point victors as it finished 0-17 to 1-9 in their favour.

In Belfast, former Tyrone joint-manager Feargal Logan led Queens to an impressive win over the University of Galway students. Westport goalkeeper Conor Meaney, Castlebar’s John MacMonagle, Claremorris’ Dara Hurley and Aghamore’s Tom O’Flaherty are all part of UG’s squad while their manager is former Mayo player and Balla native Maurice Sheridan. In the end, Queens ran out 1-14 to 0-11 point winners.

In Belfield, UCD were comprehensive winners over ATU Galway. Among the UCD team was Ballina’s Sam Callinan while Parke’s Darragh Reilly and Claremorris attacker Niall Hurley started in the full-forward line with the duo both scoring goals. Ballinrobe’s Diarmuid Duffy was among the substitutes. On the ATU Galway side, Moy Davitts’ Conor Reid and Islandeady’s Zac Collins started while Balla’s David Dolan and Belmullet's James Lavelle were among the subs. Ardnaree’s Jason Crean is also part of the ATU panel. It was the Dublin-based students who recorded a 3-12 to 0-10 point win. 

ATU Sligo travelled to Edenderry to face off with UCC and it was the Cork students who claimed victory. On the ATU Sligo panel, Castlebar’s Peter Basquille and Balla’s Oisin Cronin started while Matt Carey who plays for Longford but has strong Kiltane links, kicked 0-5 for the Sligo students. Kilmeena’s Jack Mulchrone came on as an early substitute for ATU Sligo however it was the University College Cork students who came away with a 3-18 to 0-15 point win.

Round Two of the competition will take place next week.

READ MORE: Five Mayo players to watch out for in the Sigerson Cup