Mannion leads UCD to Ryan Cup glory

Dublin were well represented on the UCD team which defeated DCU, 2-18 to 0-12, in Wednesday night’s Ryan Cup (Higher Ed SFL1) final at Parnell Park.

DCU, with Conor McHugh to the fore, began the better to lead 0-6 to 0-3 before Paul Mannion’s goal after 15 minutes ignited the UCD charge.

Dublin trio of Jack McCaffrey, David Byrne (Nh Olaf) and Conor Mulally continued to drive UCD forward as the half developed.

They were rewarded when points from Mannion, Paul Kingston (Laois) and the lively Eoin Smith (Laois) propelled the Belfield lads in front before Meath’s Pádraic Harnan fired to the net before the break to see UCD hold a 2-9 to 0-8 interval advantage.

UCD were never in any trouble in the second half with Kildare’s Niall Kelly kicking some excellent scores from long range as John Divilly’s side recorded a comprehensive victory.