Sigerson Cup: UCC book quarter-final spot after impressive win over Queen's

UCC: 1-19 (1-3-13) 

Queen’s University Belfast: 2-14 (2-0-14) 

UCC have booked their spot in the 2026 Sigerson Cup quarter-finals following an impressive win over a fancied Queen’s University Belfast side at rain-soaked Abbotstown in Dublin on Wednesday night.

Both sides came into this Round 2A encounter on the back of victories last week, but it was UCC who came out of an enjoyable contest with a two-point win.

Three two-pointers went a long way to getting the Cork team over the line with Michael McSweeney raising two orange flags while a crucial late two-pointer from Ruairí Murphy was massive.

Paul O’Keeffe’s side showed immense character given they had to play a short period in the first half with a player less after Conor Daly picked up a black card. 

They led by five points at the short whistle and had to weather a Queen’s storm in the second half, but UCC had a more balanced team and had more shooters to prevail.

Both sides traded the first four points in what was an open and attacking game of football. James Horgan and a Daly free with the points for UCC.

Queen's then raised a green flag after eight minutes, which was quite fortuitous. Donal Scullion's effort came back off the post only for Ryan McQuillan to react quickest to finish to the net, 1-2 to 0-2.

UCC’s response was positive though with excellent midfielder McSweeney slotting over an effort and then raising an orange flag to draw level.

Queen’s then put together two unanswered points until UCC got their own lucky goal when Ciarán Santry pounced on a mistake from Queen’s goalkeeper Aaron Lee to nudge his team ahead, 1-5 to 1-4 after 16 minutes.

Two minutes later, Daly received a black card for an off-the-ball-incident. The Cork side went down to 14 players for 10 minutes.

Luke Diamond did draw his side level, but UCC put together four points on the trot including another two-pointer from McSweeney, this one coming from a free, 1-10 to 1-5 at half-time.

Queen’s started the new half with a Noah Grimes point, but UCC’s brave approach was paying off.

Emmet Daly restored his side’s five-point buffer with a great point following a free-flowing team move.

Good work from Ruairí Murphy set up Daly to push UCC six points clear after 36 minutes, 1-12 to 1-6.

Tom Cunningham was having a hugely effective game in the middle of the pitch for O’Keeffe’s charges.

He did help his team keep in front in what was a firm purple patch for Queen’s. They kicked four of the next five points to reduce the deficit down to three points, 1-13 to 1-10.

An Olan Corcoran effort from an acute angle was a settling score for UCC after a tricky spell.

They could have put the game to bed, another brilliant move with Santry playing a big part as the ball ended up with Daly, but his shot went across the face of goal and wide.

Queen’s rallied though and were ahead, 2-14 to 1-16 going into the closing stages with Grimes’ goal giving them a foothold.

Ruairí Murphy stepped up and slotted over a mighty two-pointer to give UCC a slender lead before UCC sub Cormac Dillon tacked on a free to give his side a great triumph.

Meanwhile, MTU Cork are out of the 2026 Sigerson Cup after losing their Round 2B clash against Ulster University, 1-16 to 1-11.

It was their second successive loss.

Scorers for UCC: M McSweeney 0-5 (1 2pt f, 1 2pt), C Santry 1-1, C Daly 0-3 (0-1 f), R Murphy (1 2pt), J Horgan, C Dillon (0-1 f), O Corcoran 0-2 each, T Cunningham, E Daly 0-1 each.

Queen’s University Belfast: N Grimes 1-4, R Cassidy 0-5 (0-1 f), R McQuillan 1-1 (0-1 f), L Diamond 0-3, C Higgins 0-1.

UCC: A Murphy (Renard, Kerry); D Peet (Clonakilty), J O’Driscoll (Valley Rovers), C Gammell (Killarney Legion, Kerry); L Evans (Keel, Kerry), C Molloy (Nemo Rangers), C Kenneally (Clonakilty); M McSweeney (Knocknagree), T Cunningham (Kilshannig); R Murphy (Listry, Kerry), E Daly (Valentia Young Islanders, Kerry), J Horgan (Firies, Kerry); O Corcoran (St Mary’s), C Daly (Clonakilty), C Santry (Carbery Rangers).

Subs: C Dillon (Duagh, Kerry) for E Daly (46), D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks, Kerry) for C Gammell (48), D Desmond (Ballincollig) for C Daly (52), H Ahearne (Ballincollig) for L Evans (56).

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST: A Lee; J Clarke, J Finnegan, R Forbes; C Hynds, C O’Neill, D Scullion; D Higgins, A Tohill; C Higgins, R Cassidy, L Diamond; N Grimes, M Burnett, R McQuillan.

Subs: L McManus for M Burnett (45), M Ennis for R McQuillan (50), J Corrigan for C Hynds (52), R Callaghan for D Higgins (60).

Referee: Andrew Smith (Meath).