DCU hoping to secure fifth Sigerson title

Wed, 29th January 2020

DCU will be hoping to capture the Sigerson Cup for the fifth time in their history when they host IT Carlow in Wednesday night's decider at DCU Sportsgrounds (7.30).

DCU were impressive when defeating UCD 1-15 to 0-3 in their semi-final while IT Carlow once again illustrated their will to win by producing late heroics to defy Letterkenny IT, 2-9 to 1-9, with a late, late goal from Adam Steed with Cian Farrell and Evan Lowry also to the fore.

In fact IT Carlow, who are managed by former Laois hurler Pat 'Zoom' Critchley, have shown incredible resilience in all their games before eventually emerging on the winning side.

In their last-four encounter the Glasnevin university, who are managed by former Dublin footballer Paddy Christie, took control of the game in the second quarter and were never in any real trouble as the game progressed.

DCU led 0-7 to 0-2 at the interval, after the sides had been level 0-2 each after 15 minutes.

Michael Bannigan's goal on the rebound, after his initial penalty had been saved by UCD keeper Gary O'Rourke, four minutes into the second half left the Belfield outfit with a major uphill task that proved well beyond them.

UCD had reached the last-four stage following two tough extra-time clashes and perhaps it told against them.

Dublin senior Evan Comerford's kickouts gave DCU a great foothold around centrefield while DCU attacked their opponents kickouts to telling effect.

Comerford also slotted two deadballs in the second half - the first a 46-metre free from slightly to the right of goal and then a '45' from towards the flank.

DCU's defensive shape was impressive as they stripped UCD of the ball or shepherded them out to the flanks and forced them into some wayward shooting.

Comerford's county and club teammate, Paddy Small, added two second half points to his first half score - two coming off his less favoured right side - as DCU began to move further clear in the second half.

Monaghan native David Garland showed great accuracy to add four points from play to his three first half frees while Nh Mearnóg's Shane Carthy used the all accurately and intelligently from midfield for a forward unit in which Dublin's Seán Bugler handled plenty of possession.

There is a strong Dublin club representation in the DCU panel with Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams), Seán McMahon (Raheny), Declan Monaghan (Clontarf), Seán Bugler (St Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh), Shane Carthy (Nh Mearnóg), Paddy Small (Ballymun Kickhams), Stephen Smith (Skerries Harps), Tom Fox (Kilmacud Crokes), Dean McDermott (Parnell's), Neil Matthews (Erin's Isle), Karl Lynch Bissett (Nh Mearnóg), Conor Hickey (St Margaret's) and Paul Tolan (Nh Barróg) all involved.

Earlier in the competition DCU beat Garda College and Queen's University.

DCU enjoyed a massive 26-point (7-14 to 0-9) quarter-final victory over Queen's University at DCU's Sportsgrounds.

Early goals from Thomas Edward Donohoe, Brian Stack and Kevin Flynn helped DCU race into a 3-9 to 0-3 lead.

In the second half David Garland, top scorer Micheal Bannigan (2-4, 0-1f) and Skerries Harps' Stephen Smith added goals as DCU ran out comfortable winners.

Monaghan native Michael Bannigan was also DCU's chief scorer in the first round victory over Garda College (0-11 to 0-9) at DCU's Sportsgrounds when his late flurry of points saw his side to victory.

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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)