UCC heading to Croker after defeating University of Galway in nervy Sigerson Cup semi-final

UCC: 1-11 (1-0-11) 

University of Galway: 1-8 (1-2-4) 

UCC are heading to Croke Park for the Sigerson Cup final after defeating University of Galway by three points in a tense encounter at the Mardyke on Thursday night.

It was a very enjoyable game of football between two honest teams with the semi-final contest not decided until the very last kick of the game.

The match was deadlocked at the short whistle despite UCC starting well. They did improve in the second half in what was a collective team performance. UCC always had that extra bit of quality in their locker to kick on. 

Special mention must go to the UCC defence who defended heroically in the second 30 minutes.

It took Galway some 23 minutes into the second half to get their first score of the half. The likes of Dan Peet, Chris Kenneally and Colin Molloy stood tall in the winning side’s backline.

The decider is scheduled for next Wednesday at Croker with UCC looking to win a 25th Sigerson Cup title. Their opponents will be either Queen’s University Belfast or University of Limerick. That game is on tomorrow.

UCC made a promising start with a Conor Daly free followed by a Ruairí Murphy goal after six minutes.

There was a bit of luck involved with the goal as Murphy’s shot deflected in off Jack Folan.

The sides traded points until Cormac Dillon could have bagged a second UCC goal, but great defending from Galway prevented that from happening.

Eoin Colleran did leave his side three points behind, but it was quickly cancelled out by a neat James Horgan effort.

Against the run of play, Galway goaled after 17 minutes when Colleran finished to the net after a great run, 1-3 to 1-2.

A two-pointer from a free through Mark McInerney gave Galway the lead for the first time with eight minutes to the break.

Daly registered a badly needed score for UCC to draw parity after the opposition had enjoyed a period of sustained dominance, 1-4 apiece at half-time.

Paul O’Keeffe’s side started the new half similar to the opening 30 minutes. Daly saw his goal-bound shot expertly saved by Galway goalkeeper Cillian Walsh.

A couple of other decent attacks came to nothing for both sides in what was a slow burner of a second half.

The first score of the half came eleven minutes in when Michael McSweeney bisected the posts for UCC followed four minutes later by a Daly free.

Three Dillon points gave his team a 1-9 to 1-4 lead with eight minutes remaining.

Galway got their first score of the half 23 minutes in when Canice Mulligan pointed.

Dillon could have put the game to bed, but his effort for a green flag deflected out for a 45, which goalkeeper Austin Murphy converted.

The teams exchanged white flags as the game went into added time. It was nervy as another McInerney two-point free left Galway three points behind and UCC had to defend brilliantly in the dying embers to prevail.

The big house for UCC next week. 

Scorers for UCC: C Dillon 0-4, C Daly 0-3 (0-2 f), R Murphy 1-0, A Murphy (45), M McSweeney, J Horgan, C Santry 0-1 each.

University of Galway: E Colleran 1-2, M McInerney 0-4 (2 2pt f), C Mulligan, G Davoren 0-1 each.

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); E Daly (Valentia Young Islanders, Kerry), R Murphy (Listry, Kerry, capt), J Horgan (Firies, Kerry); C Dillon (Duagh, Kerry), C Daly (Clonakilty), C Santry (Carbery Rangers).

Subs: D Desmond (Ballincollig) for E Daly (45), H Ahearne (Ballincollig) for J Horgan (56).

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY: C Walsh; C Corcoran, C Moriarty, J Folan; M Moughan, B Cogger, C Mulligan; G Davoren, S Hansberry; C Sheridan, T O’Flaherty, S McGrath; M McInerney, C Ó Curraoín (capt), E Colleran.

Subs: L Ó Conghaile for S Hansberry (36), S Hansberry for G Davoren (38, temp), J MacMonagle for S Hansberry (42), T McGrane for C Corcoran (52), D Hurley for S McGrath (58).

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).