Comerford helps point DCU to Sigerson Cup glory

Thu, 30th January 2020

SIGERSON CUP FINAL

DCU 0-14 IT CARLOW 0-7

DCU were crowned Sigerson Cup winners for the fifth time in their history when seeing off the challenge of IT Carlow in Wednesday night's decider at DCU's Sportsgrounds.

The Glasnevin side led 0-5 to 0-2 at the break and controlled most of the second half as they eased their way to victory.

Over their entire Sigerson Cup campaign DCU did not concede a goal in victories over Garda, Queen's University, UCD and in Wednesday's final victory over IT Carlow.

Their strong defensive structure, high tackle count and work-rate was again to the fore as they dealt comfortably with what IT Carlow could muster.

Evan Comerford, who impressed for Dublin's senior last Saturday night against Kerry in Croke Park, converted three frees for DCU overall while fellow Dublin senior panellists Paddy Small (0-2), and Seán Bugler (0-1) also got on the scoresheet.

IT Carlow only managed one point from play in the 60-plus minutes, a first half score from Laois senior Evan Lowry, as DCU's pressure game forced them onto the back foot for long passages.

Shane Carthy, who has represented Dublin at minor, U21 and senior level, did well once again for DCU with his composure on the ball a factor in his side's victory.

Declan Monaghan and Seán McMahon, both whom have represented the Dubs at U21 level in the past, did well in the DCU defence, getting through a lot of work while Monaghan lended his weight to DCU's counter-attacking game on several occasions.

Monaghan duo David Garland and Michael Bannigan, who both enjoyed excellent Sigerson Cup campaigns, also aided DCU's victory in a telling way.

SCORERS - DCU: D Garland 0-4 (0-1f), E Comerford (0-3f), M Bannigan (0-2f) 0-3, P Small 0-2, S Carthy, S Bugler 0-1. IT Carlow: C Farrell 0-6 (0-6f), E Lowry 0-1.

DCU: E Comerford; D Corcoran, B McCole, C Morrison; K Flynn, J Morrissey, D Monaghan; S McMahon, S Carthy; B Stack, M Bannigan, S Bugler; TE Donohoe P Small, D Garland. Subs: T Fox for Donohoe (38), S Smith for Stack (52), M Curran for Morrison (54), K Dwyer for Corcoran (60), N Gavigan for McMahon (60).

IT Carlow: K Roche; R Hitchcock, R Ryan, J Moore; C Walsh, T Collins, C Doyle; N Hughes S Ryan; A Steed, C Byrne, P O'Toole; C Farrell, J Walsh, E Lowry. Subs: G Murphy for J Walsh (38), S Crowley for C Walsh (48), T Griffin for Steed (50).

REF: D O'Mahoney (Tipperary).

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2020 SIGERSON CUP

First Round

St Mary’s, Belfast 2-14 Maynooth University 0-9
Letterkenny IT 1-18 Athlone IT 3-4
IT Sligo 0-8 UL 0-5
IT Carlow 3-9 IT Tralee 1-13
UCD 0-13 UUJ 0-11 (after extra-time)
DCU 0-11 Garda College 0-9
UCC 2-12 NUIG 1-14
Queen’s 1-14 TUD 1-8

Quarter-finals

DCU 7-14 Queen's University 0-9
Letterkenny IT 1-14 IT Sligo 1-8
UCD 2-10 St Mary's 2-6 (after extra-time)
IT Carlow 3-9 UCC 0-14

Semi-finals

DCU 1-15 UCD 0-3
IT Carlow 2-9 Letterkenny 1-9

Final

DCU 0-14 IT Carlow 0-7