Crucial stage in Sigerson Cup for MTU Cork and UCC

It’s a crucial juncture in the Sigerson Cup for the two Cork sides in this famous competition.

It got underway last week but the stakes are high for MTU Cork who must win tomorrow against Ulster University in Round 2B to keep their hopes alive.

James McCarthy’s charges lost at home to University of Limerick in the opening round last Wednesday and as a result of that 0-17 to 1-9 loss, they make the journey to UCD in Dublin tomorrow with throw-in at 6.15pm.

There were plenty of positives to take from the game where they showed plenty of character and determination despite the odds against them.

MTU Cork were short 13 players due to a variety of different reasons and the loss of so many players did play a factor as the game wore on.

The Cork outfit led by a point at half-time, but could only manage four points in the second 30 minutes including a two-point free from brilliant midfielder Fintan Fenner.

They did keep going right to the end, but ideally MTU Cork would like a few of the players that were absent to return. Ed Myers, Dara Sheedy and Seán Dore were just some of the players that were sidelined for the University of Limerick loss.

Whether that’s possible for them to play in this one remains to be seen.

McCarthy’s charges will be going into the game in a more positive frame of mind than Ulster University who lost heavily in their opening round game to DCU, 3-13 to 0-8.

On the other side of the coin, the safety net is there for UCC in their Round 2A clash with Queen's University tomorrow in Abbotstown at 7.30pm.

Paul O’Keeffe’s charges got the better of ATU Sligo in Edenderry last Wednesday on a scoreline of 3-18 to 0-15.

After losing their two championship games in 2025, UCC, with 24 Sigerson Cup titles, would have been relieved with their gritty and impressive success last week in Offaly.

There was a lot to admire from the UCC performance.

They kept their opposition at arm’s length throughout. They led 2-7 to 0-4 at half-time and never looked like being reeled in after the interval.

Conor Daly scored 2-4 while Olan Corcoran also impressed with 1-3. Both forwards will be key again in this upcoming match.

UCC will be keen to get another win, but were they to lose, they would go to Round 3.

Queen's University had an eye-catching success over University of Galway in their first game, 1-14 to 0-11.