Sigerson Cup: MTU Cork beaten at home by Maynooth University

Maynooth University: 4-11 

MTU Cork: 2-9 

MTU CORK’S slow start proved costly as they lost to Maynooth University in the opening round of the Sigerson Cup at MTU Cork’s Bishopstown Campus on Tuesday evening. 

Both of these teams met in a thrilling second round encounter last season, on a day when MTU Cork won 3-14 to 2-11 at Abbotstown. This contest was pretty much wrapped up after 21 minutes when Maynooth University led by 12 points.

MTU Cork did rally in the second-half with impressive performances from the likes of Tommy Walsh, Seán Brady and Keith O’Driscoll. Subs Seán Andrews and Connor O’Neill added something different, but there was to be no great comeback. There are lots of positives to take from the spirited performance after the short whistle heading into the second-round next week against the losers of ATU Donegal against UL. 

On a bitterly cold but dry evening, MTU Cork kicked two of the first three points, but that was as good as it got for the Leeside College. The visitors goaled through Ruairí Kinsella after five minutes, a fine finish. Maynooth were getting in too easy and the away team scored 1-1 without reply, Kinsella with his second green flag, 2-2 to 0-2 after ten minutes. 

Three consecutive points gave Maynooth a comfortable advantage, with MTU Cork struggling to get to grips with their opposition. It was effectively game over after 21 minutes when Kevin O’Sullivan netted his sides third goal.

Pat Spratt’s team registered a much needed score after 26 minutes when Aaron O’Shea pointed, their first score in 22 minutes, 3-5 to 0-3. MTU Cork tried hard in the closing stages of the half to get a score, but it wasn't to be. Maynooth University’s Luke Killian kicked a splendid point as they led 3-6 to 0-3 at the break.

On the resumption, O’Driscoll clipped over a point from an acute angle for the home side, but Kinsella quickly pointed. MTU Cork did score a goal, a fine run by Walsh, resulted in the Kanturk player rattling the back of the net, 3-7 to 1-4 after 36 minutes. 1-1 in 80 seconds gave Maynooth University a 4-8 to 1-4 advantage after 41 minutes, Keith O’Neill with the goal.

The game tipped along with Maynooth University leading 4-9 to 1-6, before Mark Casey raised a green flag for MTU Cork with 15 minutes left, following great work by Joe Cooper in the build-up. Brady and O’Driscoll bisected the posts to reduce the margin down to seven points, 4-9 to 2-8.

There was no grand finale in the remaining seven minutes, as the game petered out, as the Leinster outfit scored two of the last three points.

Scorers for Maynooth University: R Kinsella 2-2, K O’Sullivan 1-2, K O’Neill 1-1, E Frayne (f), L Killian 0-2 each, S O’Sullivan, M Gibbons 0-1 each.

MTU Cork: R O’Donovan 0-3 (0-1 m, 0-1 f), T Walsh, M Casey 1-0 each, K O’Driscoll 0-2, S Andrews, C O’Neill, A O’Shea, S Brady 0-1 each.

MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY: C Burke; T Moran, T McPhillips, R Burke; D Scahil, S Greene, A Brazil; L Killian, C Walsh; K O’Sullivan, S O’Sullivan, S Leech; K O’Neill, E Frayne, R Kinsella.

Subs: P McDermott for D Scahil, J Kiernan for E Frayne (both 34), R Teehan for K O'Neill (48), M Gibbons for R Burke (50), B O'Halloran for T McPhillips (56).

MTU Cork (Cork clubs unless stated): R Cashman (Kanturk); D Cronin (Gneeveguilla, Kerry), T Walsh (Kanturk), D Sweeney (Ballymacelligott, Kerry); S Brady (Ballygarvan), M Casey (Templenoe, Kerry), B Thompson (Éire Óg); L Smith (Glenbeigh/Glencar, Kerry), J Cooper (Éire Óg); J Cahalane (Castlehaven), A O’Shea (Listry, Kerry), A Walsh (Kanturk); R O’Donovan (Barryroe), D O’Connor (Boherbue), K O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers).

Subs: S Andrews (Shamrocks) for D Sweeney, C O’Neill (Canovee) for J Cahalane (both h-t), S Dore (Ballincollig) for D O’Connor (41), M Leslie (Laune Rangers, Kerry) for R O’Donovan (48), P Healy (St Oliver Plunkett’s) for J Cooper (53).

Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary).