Sigerson Cup: Big shock as UCC bow out after seven-point defeat to MTU Kerry

MTU Kerry: 2-15 

UCC: 2-8 

UCC are out of the Sigerson Cup after losing to neighbours MTU Kerry in Round 2B at the MTU Campus in Tralee on Tuesday evening.

This was a vital game in what was do-or-die having both suffered opening round losses last Friday, but it was the home side who kept their composure to prevail to the next round.

UCC were below their best as they never led at any stage. The 23-time champions make a meek exit on an evening where they were outplayed and outclassed. They also played with 14 men for the final 17 minutes. 

MTU Kerry had wind advantage in the first half and they certainly made the most of it in what was a flat UCC performance from the off. 

The home side hit five of the first six points inside the first 10 minutes. UCC’s point coming from Killian Falvey after four minutes. 

It could have got worse for the Cork side but Seán O’Brien’s well struck effort was expertly stopped by UCC goalkeeper Austin Murphy. The sides traded points with Hugh O’Connor pointing for UCC after a brilliant Jack O’Neill pass.

MTU Kerry landed two of the next three points as they remained in control as they led 0-8 to 0-3 with five minutes to the break.

UCC did get the last score of the half through a Cathal Ó Beaglaoich white flag and they could have also scored a goal but Kevin O’Reilly couldn’t find the target from close range, 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time. Falvey picked up a black card seconds after the short whistle following verbals with the referee.

The Skull and Crossbones required an improvement on the resumption regardless if they had wind advantage, but they were now down to 14 players for 10 minutes so it was an uphill task. They got off to the worst start possible when Keith Evans finished low into the UCC net after a mistake in the defence, 1-8 to 0-4 after 33 minutes. 

A Conor Daly free reduced the deficit down to six points as Falvey returned to the field after 40 minutes.

Neil Lordan was then shown a straight red after 43 minutes following a late tackle. MTU Kerry landed two of the next three points before they all but finished the contest with a Conor O’Sullivan goal, 2-10 to 0-6 after 47 minutes.

Ó Beaglaoich bisected the posts for UCC as they continued to plug away despite the deficit. The winners kicked three unanswered points before UCC sub Conor McMahon goaled, 2-13 to 1-7 with five minutes remaining.

The sides traded points before UCC did finish with a Falvey goal. A mere consolation. MTU Kerry’s Eddie Healy got the last score of the game.

A disappointing evening as UCC exit the competition.

Scorers for MTU Kerry: K Evans 1-3, D O’Connor 0-5 (0-4 f), C O’Sullivan 1-0, E Healy, E Horan 0-2 each, S O’Brien, D O’Sullivan, C Horan 0-1 each.

UCC: K Falvey 1-2, C McMahon 1-0, H O’Connor, C Ó Beaglaoich 0-2 each, C Daly (f), D Phelan 0-1 each.

MTU KERRY: C Melia; S Brosnan, J Nagle, M Nee; A Heinrich, E Healy, D Buckley; S O’Brien, E Boyle; D O’Sullivan, E Horan, C Horan; D O’Connor, K Evans, C O’Sullivan.

Subs: L Brosnan for C O’Sullivan (55), C McEneany for C Horan (56), D Bryant for D O’Connor (57), S McCarthy for D O’Sullivan (59).

UCC: A Murphy (Reenard, Kerry); T O’Mahony (Castlehaven), D O’Callaghan (Kilcummin, Kerry), N Lordan (Ballinora); J O’Neill (Castlehaven), D Phelan (Aghada), D Murray (Glanmire); C Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht, Kerry), D Desmond (Ballincollig); O Corcoran (St Mary’s), H O’Connor (Newmarket), K Falvey (Annascaul, Kerry); K O’Reilly (Carrigaline), C Daly (Clonakilty), A Crowley (Templenoe, Kerry).

Subs: C McMahon (Dr Crokes, Kerry) for A Crowley, C Kenneally (Clonakilty) for J O’Neill, H Ahearne (Ballincollig) for D Desmond (all 38), F O’Brien (St Pat’s, Blennerville, Kerry) for O Corcoran (51), D Peet (Clonakilty) for D O’Callaghan (61).

Referee: Jonathan Hayes (Limerick).