Disappointment for UCC as they fall short to UL in Sigerson Cup final

University of Limerick: 0-17 (0-0-17) 

UCC: 1-11 (1-0-11) 

Disappointment for UCC after falling short to a strong University of Limerick side in the Sigerson Cup decider at Croke Park on Wednesday night.

The Cork team were going for a 25th title but they never truly clicked in a game where they never led.

It was a magnificent tussle that went all the way to the end with UL winning by three points.

Paul O’Keeffe’s team did struggle in this all-Munster affair to handle their opponents, a repeat of the 2023 decider, UCC's previous triumph.

It was level at the short whistle thanks to a late rally from the Cork side with Ciarán Santry’s goal seconds before the break just the tonic that UCC required.

The encounter was in the balance with 20 minutes to go, but UL pushed on to deservedly win their first ever Sigerson Cup crown. They handled the occasion better and that was the difference. 

UL made a bright start as they settled into the occasion quickly with points from Ciarán Collins and Seán Morohan inside three minutes.

UCC’s response was excellent though with two gorgeous white flags from Cormac Dillon and Ruairí Murphy.

The Limerick outfit were in control of the proceedings at this juncture as they kicked three of the next four points with UCC’s score coming from Conor Daly, 0-5 to 0-3 after 10 minutes.

Cathal Ryan and Frank Irwin raised white flags as UL extended their advantage. UCC were struggling to click but Santry did point and it was followed by a goal chance after 17 minutes.

Dillon set up Ruairí Murphy but the latter was unable to beat UL goalkeeper Tristan O’Callaghan who spread himself well.

The sides traded points as UL missed a great chance of scoring a goal sandwiched between those points. Frank Irwin looked certain to raise a green flag but his effort was saved by UCC netminder Austin Murphy.

Conal Dawson pushed UL 0-9 to 0-5 clear with five minutes remaining in the opening 30 minutes as UCC were hanging on with some great defending preventing UL from getting the first goal of the match.

A Daly free reduced the deficit before it was level when Ruairí Murphy’s floated effort into the square was palmed into the net by Santry on the stroke of the half-time whistle, 1-6 to 0-9 at the interval.

UL kicked the first score of the new half when Cian McHale converted an easy free only to be cancelled out by a cracking point from Tom Cunningham to draw level again.

Daly saw his goal-bound effort smartly saved by UL goalkeeper O’Callaghan, as UCC strived to have their noses in front for the first time.

The sides traded points as during that time UCC saw another goal chance go begging when Emmet Daly was unable to find the net.

It was finely poised at 1-8 to 0-11 after 38 minutes. A pair of McHale points gave his side a two-point buffer as UL regained the dominance they had for much of the first half.

The Limerick team landed two of the next three points with UCC’s score coming from a 45 through goalkeeper Austin Murphy, 0-15 to 1-9 after 49 minutes.

Olan Corcoran, just on the pitch, left O’Keeffe’s charges two points adrift, but they were playing second fiddle.

UL responded with two quick-fire white flags as the game approached the closing stages.

A Dillon free kept UCC just about in touch as the game went into five minutes of added time.

There would be no dramatic comeback, the eventual winners saw out the closing minutes to win the title.

Scorers for University of Limerick: C McHale 0-5 (0-2 f), C Brosnan, C Ryan, D Hogan, C Collins 0-2 each, S Morohan, B McNamara, C Dawson, F Irwin 0-1 each.

UCC: C Santry 1-1, C Daly 0-3 (0-2 f), C Dillon 0-2 (0-1 f), R Murphy, T Cunningham, O Corcoran, A Murphy (45), M McSweeney 0-1 each.

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: T O’Callaghan; T Walsh (Kanturk), T Ross, B Dempsey; P O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers), S Morohan, C King; B McNamara (capt), C Collins; C Dawson, J McCabe, C Ryan; C Brosnan, C McHale, F Irwin.

Subs: T O’Donnell for J McCabe, D Hogan for F Irwin (both 42), H O’Loughlin for C Brosnan (45), J Melvin for B Dempsey (57), C Campbell for C Collins (65).

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 J Horgan (43), T O’Mahony (Castlehaven) for C Kenneally (45), O Corcoran (St Mary’s) for E Daly (51), D Buckley (Douglas) for C Daly (56), G Holland (Bishopstown) for M McSweeney (59).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).