Sigerson Cup: Brave UCC fall short against UCD in opener

UCD: 0-12 

UCC: 0-7 

A more efficient UCD side proved too strong in the end for Billy Morgan's UCC in the opening round of the 2025 Sigerson Cup at a damp St Patrick’s Park in Enniscorthy on Friday evening.

Last season's runners-up were given a stern examination here in Wexford by a well-drilled UCC side who showed plenty of promising signs. The sides were deadlocked at the break, but UCC will be disappointed that they didn’t lead going into the dressing rooms at the interval with wayward shooting their downfall. They also had a strong enough wind advantage in the opening 30 minutes. 

In what were challenging weather conditions, the Skull and Crossbones will still take a lot of encouragement from this. UCD did show their class in the second half, which was the difference. 

This game was supposed to take place last Tuesday at the Mardyke, but due to the weather it was postponed and UCC lost home advantage as they had to make the long journey down to the southeast. 

All is not lost for the Cork outfit who won this competition as recently as 2023. They will play MTU Kerry in the second round next week, which is now do-or-die.

Morgan’s charges got the first score through a Killian Falvey point two minutes in but that was cancelled out two minutes later by a Luke Breathnach effort in what was a tight and cagey contest. 

UCC did control large spells of the first half and three of the next four points were kicked by the Rebel outfit with Conor Daly landing all three of UCC’s points. The Clonakilty player slotting over three frees, 0-4 to 0-2 after 26 minutes. 

UCD did finish the half stronger with white flags from Callum Bolton and Roscommon star Daire Cregg, 0-4 each at half-time.

On the resumption, the 23-time champions of this competition were second best with their opposition rattling off three unanswered points inside a low-key third quarter, 0-7 to 0-4. Aidan Crowley bisected the posts after 46 minutes for UCC, which was a badly needed score, a fine one too.

The teams traded points with UCC’s score a mark from Hugh O’Connor as they were still within touching distance with seven minutes to go. It wasn’t to be though as the eventual winners hit four of the last five points.

UCC will have to regroup quickly for MTU Kerry. 

Meanwhile, MTU Cork will go into next week full of belief after an impressive 1-10 to 0-6 success over ATU Donegal on Friday night in Abbotstown. 

In his first competitive game back since suffering a serious injury last June, Naomh Abán's Ed Myers kicked 0-4 (0-2 f). Keith O'Driscoll of Gabriel Rangers was the goalscorer. Pat Spratt's side will now face Maynooth University or TUS Midlands in the winners round. 

Scorers for UCD: D Cregg 0-5 (0-1 f), A Lynch 0-2, L Breathnach, D Moriarty, C Bolton, B McNulty, B O’Carroll 0-1 each.

UCC: C Daly 0-4 (0-3 f), A Crowley, H O’Connor (m), K Falvey 0-1 each.

UCD: K Roche; D McElearney, T Clancy, M Stone; S Callinan, C Drumm, J Moran; C Bolton, D Gilmore; C Egan, B McNulty, D Moriarty; D Cregg, L Breathnach, A Lynch.

Subs: M McNally for C Egan (47), B O’Carroll for A Lynch, S Forker for J Moran (both 52).

UCC: A Murphy (Reenard, Kerry); F Leahy (St Michael’s), D O’Callaghan (Kilcummin, Kerry), D Peet (Clonakilty); C Kenneally (Clonakilty), D Phelan (Aghada), N Lordan (Ballinora); T Ó hAiniféin (Na Gaeil Kerry), D Desmond (Ballincollig); F O’Brien (St Pat’s, Blennerville, Kerry), H O’Connor (Newmarket), K Falvey (Annascaul, Kerry); O Corcoran (St Mary’s), C Daly (Clonakilty), A Crowley (Templenoe, Kerry).

Subs: F Desmond (Ballymartle) for F O’Brien (46), K O’Reilly (Carrigaline) for A Crowley (49).

Referee: Evan Horan (Kerry).