Sigerson Cup: UCC finish with a flourish to dethrone DCU and reach last four

UCC: 3-16 (3-3-10) 

DCU: 1-20 (1-6-8) 

UCC came good to dethrone reigning champions DCU in a classic Sigerson Cup match at the DCU Sportsground on Wednesday night.

Paul O’Keeffe’s side contributed to a highly entertaining quarter-final encounter in what was a game for the ages.

UCC recovered from a couple of setbacks including coming back from a four-point half-time deficit. Extra-time did look on the cards though until the eventual winners kicked the last two points to prevail by two points.

It was a great game of football with some excellent point-taking with six two-pointers in the first half alone.

UCC, with 24 Sigerson Cup titles, march on to the last four and 60 minutes away from the final in Croke Park.

DCU started better and it was reflected on the scoreboard as they hit 1-2 without reply in the first eight minutes. Finbarr McLoughlin with the scores including a two-pointer.

UCC did settle as they rattled off three unanswered points from a pair of Conor Daly frees and a Ruairí Murphy effort.

The sides then swapped orange flags, Greg McEneaney for DCU while James Horgan did likewise for UCC.

O’Keeffe’s charges were level when Daly (free) and Olan Corcoran pointed, 0-7 to 1-4 after 21 minutes.

The home team did tack on a two-pointer from Senan Baker and a Lorcan O’Dell effort until UCC goaled six minutes before the break. A lovely slick move started by Daly ended with Ciarán Santry finishing beautifully to the net.

It was followed by Cormac Dillon bisecting the posts as UCC went ahead for the first time.

DCU finished the half strongly though as they got the last three scores including two two-pointers from O’Dell and a Baker free as their team led 1-12 to 1-8 at half-time.

UCC required a strong start to the new half but it was a slow-burner with wayward shooting on both sides.

UCC then got their second goal after 37 minutes when Ruairí Murphy got a vital touch after Daly’s two-point effort dropped short.

DCU’s response was excellent though with three scores on the bounce including a two-point free from goalkeeper Michael Tansley, 1-16 to 2-8 after 42 minutes.

The aforementioned Daly landed a vital free from close range. It gave his team a boost when Michael McSweeney landed a two-pointer followed by a magnificent Jacob O’Driscoll goal following a driving run, 3-11 to 1-16 after 46 minutes.

UCC were now in the ascendancy as Horgan slotted over an orange flag to open up a three-point buffer.

DCU kicked four of the next five points to draw parity after 58 minutes, 1-20 to 3-14.

UCC goalkeeper Austin Murphy denied Baker a certain goal and it proved huge when Tom Cunningham and Dillon pointed to seal a sweet comeback victory for UCC.

Scorers for UCC: C Daly 0-5 (0-4 f), J Horgan 0-4 (2 2pt), R Murphy 1-1, C Santry, J O’Driscoll 1-0 each, M McSweeney (1 2pt), C Dillon 0-2 each, T Cunningham, O Corcoran 0-1 each.

DCU: F McLoughlin 1-5 (1 2pt), L O’Dell (1 2pt), S Baker (1 2pt, 1 2pt f) 0-4 each, M Tansley (1 2pt f), G McEneaney (1 2pt), C Dolan 0-2 each, S McCartan 0-1.

UCC: A Murphy (Renard, Kerry); D Peet (Clonakilty), J O’Driscoll (Valley Rovers), D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks, Kerry); L Evans (Keel, Kerry), C Molloy (Nemo Rangers), C Kenneally (Clonakilty); M McSweeney (Knocknagree), T Cunningham (Kilshannig); O Corcoran (St Mary’s), R Murphy (Listry, Kerry, capt), J Horgan (Firies, Kerry); C Dillon (Duagh, Kerry), C Daly (Clonakilty), C Santry (Carbery Rangers).

Subs: E Daly (Valentia Young Islanders, Kerry) for O Corcoran (25, inj), H Ahearne (Ballincollig) for L Evans (46), K O’Reilly (Carrigaline) for C Santry (48), D Desmond (Ballincollig) for J Horgan (49).

DCU: M Tansley; E O’Connor-Flanagan, L Kelly, B Masterson; E Ward, G McEneaney, C Lynch; C Heffernan, E Dunne; F McLoughlin, S Baker, D Swords; R Sinkey, L O’Dell (capt), J Tumulty.

Subs: C Dolan for R Sinkey (19), S McCartan for L Kelly (h-t), T Baker for B Masterson (45), S Carr for J Tumulty (48).

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan).