UCC and MTU Cork both involved in vital games in Sigerson Cup 

Contrasting fortunes for the two Cork teams in the opening round of the Sigerson Cup last Friday.

Earlier in the day, UCC lost out to UCD before MTU Cork defeated ATU Donegal that night for a second successive season.

Now the competition heats up. A Cork versus Kerry battle is always interesting, but when it’s do-or-die territory, that just adds another layer to it.

UCC take on MTU Kerry this evening over county bounds in Round 2B at the MTU Campus in Tralee with throw-in at 7pm.

The Cork outfit played well in the first half against UCD in Enniscorthy, as the teams were deadlocked at half-time, but the eventual winners pulled away to win 0-12 to 0-7.

UCC selector Paul O’Keeffe wasn’t overly down when speaking to The Echo post-match.

“At least we are still in the competition,” he said.

“We are disappointed, but there are a lot of positives to take out of the game, but UCD just got a bit of a run on us at the start of the second half and we weren’t able to reel them in after that. We kind of lost our shape a little bit and it took us a while to get back into the game. Look, there were a lot of encouraging signs plus we have a few extra personnel to come back into the team. We will be stronger for next week.

“It’s a quick turnaround now and it’s all about recovery for the lads. It’s all on the line now next week, which will focus the minds. It's a knockout competition from now on. The bottom line is that we have to win. We have been in this position previously so we know what it will be like.” 

UCC's opposition MTU Kerry were beaten 2-22 to 0-11 by DCU and will be looking to bounce back against their near neighbours.

Meanwhile, MTU Cork will be on a high after defeating ATU Donegal on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-6 played in Abbotstown. Pat Spratt’s side now meet TUS Midlands in the winners round known as Round 2A with throw-in at 7.15pm in MTU Cork's Bishopstown Campus tomorrow evening. 

MTU Cork got the better of ATU Donegal at the Round 2B stage last season, but not many would have expected them to come through this one last weekend considering the number of key players currently out due to injury.

Cork footballer David Buckley hit 1-12 (0-7 f) in the 3-20 to 1-14 extra time success over ATU Donegal last year, but the Newcestown player didn’t play four days ago due to a minor injury. Other absentees included Tommy Walsh, Seán Brady, Seán Dore and Jack Cahalane.

It didn’t affect MTU Cork who were comprehensive winners. The heavy lifting was done in the first half as they led 1-7 to 0-0 at the break albeit with wind advantage. Keith O’Driscoll’s goal was the score that gave them firm breathing space.

Despite only scoring three points after the interval, MTU Cork's opponents only managed six white flags. Ed Myers made his first competitive return last Friday since suffering a serious injury last June as he landed 0-4 (0-2 f). He will be crucial in his side's chances of prevailing in this one. Connor O'Neill, Hugh Murphy and Sam Copps will be other key figures. 

That win last Friday will inject huge confidence and belief into the team as they meet a TUS Midlands side who won against Maynooth University last Saturday night on a scoreline of 2-18 to 0-21 after extra time.