Sigerson Cup: Depleted MTU Cork fall short against UL in opener 

MTU Cork: 1-9 (1-1-7) 

University of Limerick: 0-17 (0-0-17) 

A more balanced University of Limerick side came good in the end to defeat James McCarthy’s MTU Cork outfit in the opening round of the 2026 Sigerson Cup at MTU’s campus in Bishopstown on Wednesday night.

MTU Cork were always going to be up against it given their opposition won the Division 1 league title towards the end of last year.

The home side were hampered by injuries and other reasons with 13 players absent including sharpshooters Ed Myers and Dara Sheedy.

MTU Cork did lead by a point at half-time but only managed four points in the second 30 minutes which included a two-point free from the excellent Fintan Fenner.

The eventual winners turned the screw after the short whistle and were deserving five-point winners in the end.

They had Tommy Walsh of Kanturk and Paddy O’Driscoll of Gabriel Rangers in their side.

MTU Cork will now face Ulster University in a do-or-die Round 2B encounter next week.

The sides traded early points with Frank Irwin pointing for UL before Zack McCarthy did the same for MTU Cork.

A Cian McHale free did nudge the away side ahead but two unanswered points from MTU Cork through Luke Shorten (free) and a Jack Dillon effort gave their team a 0-3 to 0-2 advantage after 15 minutes.

Fenner was playing brilliantly in the middle of the pitch for MTU Cork giving his side a platform.

They were outscored though for the next period with UL kicking four of the next six white flags with Michael Quirke and McCarthy getting MTU Cork’s points, 0-6 to 0-5 with six minutes remaining in the first half.

Against the run of play after 27 minutes, the Cork outfit were awarded a penalty after Brian Thompson was pulled back following a driving run. Dillon stepped up to dispatch the ball to the net.

Another McHale point left a point between the teams at half-time, 1-5 to 0-7.

Quirke and Thompson added quick-fire points for MTU Cork on the resumption. They would then go a long spell without a score.

Irwin bisected the posts for UL before they went two points clear with four unanswered points, 0-12 to 1-7 after 44 minutes.

UL’s wayward shooting was leaving MTU Cork in it as the game went into the last 10 minutes.

Irwin tacked on a pair of efforts before a Fenner two-point free left his side two points behind after 56 minutes.

A first score for MTU Cork in 24 minutes, 0-14 to 1-9. 

There would be no dramatic ending. The Limerick-based outfit saw out the game with three white flags on the trot.

Scorers for MTU Cork: J Dillon 1-1 (1-0 pen), F Fenner (1 2pt f), Z McCarthy, M Quirke 0-2 each, L Shorten (f), B Thompson 0-1 each.

University of Limerick: F Irwin 0-7 (0-1 f), C McHale 0-4 (0-1 f), C King 0-2 (0-1 m), S Morohan, C Ryan, D Hogan, C Keaveney 0-1 each.

MTU CORK: J Woods (Valley Rovers); S Copps (Mallow), S Brady (Ballygarvan), D King (Carrigaline); K Graham (Clyda Rovers), C Hyland (Mitchelstown), B Thompson (Éire Óg); B Comerford (Clonmel Commercials, Tipperary), F Fenner (Castletownbere); K O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers), J Dillon (Mallow), S Browne (Castlehaven); M Quirke (Ballinora), L Shorten (Tadhg MacCarthaigh), Z McCarthy (Galtee Gaels, Limerick).

Subs: P Healy (St Oliver Plunkett’s) for K O’Driscoll (42), C Gillespie (Aghabullogue) for M Quirke, A O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue) for D King (both 47), M Maguire (Castlehaven) for Z McCarthy (55), T Kiely (Mallow) for S Browne (58).

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: T O’Callaghan; T Walsh (Kanturk), T Ross, B Dempsey; P O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers), S Morohan, C King; B McNamara, H O’Loughlin; C Dawson, J McCabe, C Ryan; J Melvin, C McHale, F Irwin.

Subs: C Keaveney for J Melvin, D Hogan for C Ryan (both 40), C Corless for C Dawson (53), C Campbell for B Dempsey (56), K Butler for C McHale (58).

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary).