MATCH REPORT - Joy unconfined as UL capture Sigerson Cup

SIGERSON CUP FINAL

University of Limerick 0-17

University College Cork 1-11

EOIN HORKAN 

CROKE PARK

IT was a landmark evening for the University of Limerick as they claimed the Sigerson Cup for the first time in their history, bringing the famous trophy back to Shannonside after a thrilling decider at Croke Park.

The Shannonsiders were powered by a large Mayo contingent who made their presence felt during the historic encounter.

UL made the ideal start, settling quickly and moving into an early two-point lead. Ciarán Collins opened their account before Castlebar Mitchels’ Sean Morahan found his range to edge the Limerick side in front. However, their opponents responded in kind, with Kerry duo Cormac Dillon and Ruairí Murphy splitting the posts.

Undeterred, UL regained the initiative before the ten minute mark. Captain Brian McNamara led by example, surging forward from deep to restore his side’s advantage. Collins added another well-taken point, and tournament top scorer Cian McHale registered his first of the evening to extend the gap.

From there, UL began to exert real control. Cathal Ryan clipped over a fine effort, while Frank Irwin also got off the mark as the side from The Treaty City started to dominate possession and territory. The opposition struggled to cope with UL’s intensity, although Ciarán Santry eventually halted the momentum when he opened his tally to keep UCC in touch.

The closing stages of the first half were played at a frantic pace. UL carved out promising goal opportunities through Irwin and McHale, but both efforts were snuffed out by determined defending. At the other end, a Michael McSweeny  point was quickly cancelled out before Conal Dawson nudged UL ahead once more.

It appeared UL would carry a narrow lead into the interval, but there was late drama. A converted free from Conor Daly reduced the deficit before Santry struck for an opportunistic goal, pouncing at the perfect moment to rattle the net. In the blink of an eye, the sides were level at the break, setting up a gripping second half.

UL resumed with purpose. McHale, so often their go-to man, slotted over two early frees, while a sublime effort from Tom Cunningham kept the scoreboard ticking for the Leesiders. Six minutes into the half, UL were a point to the good. Yet the contest continued to ebb and flow, with Daly once again demonstrating his accuracy to bring UCC back on level terms.

Chances of major significance followed at both ends. Daly saw a goal-bound effort well saved, while Irwin broke through at the opposite end only to see his shot kept out at a comfortable height by the goalkeeper. The margins were fine, and neither side was willing to yield.

The sharpshooters continued to trade blows. McHale and Daly, the competition’s leading marksmen, swapped points in a captivating duel. The Moy Davitts man showcased his cultured left foot, adding two more superb scores to his tally as the tension inside Croke Park intensified.

With legs tiring in the final quarter, both management teams turned to their benches in search of fresh impetus. Kerry senior Cathal Brosnan edged UL in front, leaving three between the teams as the clock ticked down.

UL, however, found another gear. Substitute Dáithí Hogan made an immediate impact, lively and direct in attack, doubling his personal tally after entering the fray. Ryan chipped in with another important point to steady UL’s challenge. Though the opposition responded with a ‘45  from their goalkeeper and late scores from Dillon and substitute Olan Corcoran, UL held their nerve in the closing stages.

When the final whistle sounded, it sparked scenes of unbridled joy among the UL players and supporters. History had been made. The Sigerson Cup was heading to Limerick for the first time ever.

It was also a proud night from a Mayo perspective. No fewer than 11 Mayo players were included in the UL panel, with nine featuring on Wednesday night’s squad. Eoin McGreal and Cathal Keaveney were ruled out through injury, but their contributions throughout the campaign were equally valued.

UL: T O’Callaghan; T Walsh, T Ross, B Dempsey; P O’Driscoll, S Morohan (0-1), C King; B McNamara (0-1), C Collins (0-2): C Dawson (0-1), J McCabe, C Ryan (0-2); C Brosnan (0-2), C McHale (0-5, 2f), F Irwin(0-1)

Subs used: T O'Donnell for Irwin, D Hogan (0-2) for McCabe, H O’Loughlin for Brosnan, J Melvin for Dempsey, C Cambell for Collins 

UCC: A Murphy (0-1 ‘45); D Peet, J O’Driscoll, D O’Connor; L Evans, C Molloy, C Keneally; M McSweeney (0-1), T Cunningham (0-1); R Murphy (0-1), E Daly, J Horgan; C Dillon (0-2, 1f), C Daly (0-3, 2f), C Santry (1-1).

Subs used: D Desmond for Horgan, T O’Mahony for Keneally, O Corcoran (0-1) for E Daly, D Buckley for C Daly, G Holland for McSweeney

Referee: B Cawley