Sigerson Cup: UCC look to book semi-final spot

After a challenging couple of years, UCC are back in the business end of the Sigerson Cup.

They won their 24th title in 2023 before enduring early exits that they haven’t been used to in the history of this historic competition.

Two years ago, they lost to Maynooth University at the Round 3 stage before losing their two championship games in the last campaign.

UCC did go under the radar ahead of the Sigerson Cup this season. There was much more attention on other teams, but they have gone about their business quietly.

Tomorrow night, they face the holders DCU at the DCU Sportsground (8pm) for what should be an interesting quarter-final tie.

Paul O’Keeffe’s charges do have the benefit of being refreshed having won their Round 2A encounter against Queen’s University Belfast a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile, DCU had to navigate the Round 3 juncture last week and did so superbly defeating ATU Galway. 

Having that extra championship game may be a help to DCU, but UCC would have been delighted to have had last week off to give everyone time to recharge the batteries after what was a busy couple of weeks.

Also, it would have given time for the UCC management, that includes Cork football legend Billy Morgan, to assess and work on things on the training ground.

UCC did tick so many boxes in that 1-19 to 2-14 success against Queen’s University Belfast.

It followed on from the opening round victory over ATU Sligo where they were comfortable victors, 3-18 to 0-15.

UCC will be looking to the likes of Dan Peet, Jacob O’Driscoll and Colin Molloy to keep the defence intact against DCU.

Michael McSweeney and Tom Cunningham are everything you want in a midfield partnership. They have height, stature and the football.

McSweeney kicked over two two-pointers in the last game, one coming from a free.

Up front, Ruairí Murphy, Olan Corcoran, Conor Daly and Ciarán Santry should be influential figures in this upcoming game.

Murphy landed an orange flag against Queen’s in the closing stages to nudge UCC ahead. It was a crucial score.