First-half scoring blitz propels star-studded UCD into semi-finals
Since winning the competition back in 2002, NUIG have encountered several harrowing losses and another was added to that lengthy list yesterday.
UCD ruled this game from start to finish and had they so wished, Malachy O’Rourke’s charges could have won by an even healthier margin.
NUIG arrived in the capital buoyed by a decent Connacht FBD League campaign and armed with seasoned intercounty campaigners like Peadar Gardiner and Alan Dillon, but they were blitzed from the first whistle.
There were so many contributors to this emphatic UCD triumph, but the influence of John Heslin, John O’Loughlin, and the diligent Kevin McGourty were the standout ingredients for their success.
Westmeath midfielder Heslin is a footballer whose stock has risen considerably over the last year and his distribution and runs from deep caused untold damage.
John O’Loughlin covered acres of ground too, kicking four points and constantly threatening an overworked NUIG defence.
McGourty is blessed with significant Sigerson experience and the All-Ireland club winner with St Galls used all his guile during the hour, making numerous turnovers while also managing to register the most aesthetically pleasing point of the day two minutes before the interval.
By that stage it was apparent that UCD were on their way to a semi-final meeting with UCC as NUIG had been caught with blows early and often.
Quickly out of the traps UCD were on top and led by 0-5 to 0-2 at the end of a first quarter in which Jason Doherty had caused them problems.
Doherty, who kicked a brace of goals for Mayo against Galway in Tuam Stadium on Sunday, was lively, but NUIG just couldn’t get enough possession inside.
Surprisingly NUIG got back on level terms in the 18th minute when a Doherty 45’ fell short and Neil Douglas supplied a deft flick to rattle the UCD net.
Despite the concession UCD re-established control and ruled the rest of the first-half and that was ultimately the reason why they progressed.
NUIG weren’t allowed build on Douglas’ goal and UCD reeled over six points on the spin between the 19th minute and the break.
It was a ruthless spell in which NUIG were outfought, outthought, and outclassed as UCD went in at the turnaround with a commanding 0-11 to 1-2 buffer.
It was equally disturbing for NUIG in the third quarter as O’Loughlin continued to knife through the visitors defence.
O’Loughlin whipped over three points and created another for Rob Kelly, while Ciarán Lyng also kicked a free as the advantage was stretched to 0-16 to 1-3.
NUIG manager John Maughan tried a series of positional switches and substitutions in an effort to get his team competitive again, but they only got some joy in the dying stages when it didn’t truly matter.
Substitute Mark McHugh terminated NUIG’s search for a second-half score in the 56th minute but Lyng responded instantly.
Then Galway panellist Greg Higgins burst through to net a goal that brought a trace of respectability to the final scoreline, but UCD’s thoughts had already turned to the exciting semi-final joust with UCC.
Belfield this afternoon will host a match that won’t be short on intrigue as UCC attempt to take another scalp in the capital.
Scorers for UCD: J O’Loughlin (0-4), J Heslin (0-3), R Kelly (0-3, 1f), C Lyng (0-3, 2fs), D Kingston, M Fitzsimmons, C Kenny, K McGourty, J Fitzpatrick (0-1) each.
Scorers for NUIG: N Douglas, G Higgins (1-0) each, J Doherty (0-2), M McHugh (0-1).
M Savage (Dublin); J Hayes (Cavan), C Forde (Galway), M Fitzsimmons (Dublin); M McGowan (Donegal), S Redmond (Carlow), J Fitzpatrick (Down); J Heslin (Westmeath), C Murphy (Dublin); C Kenny (Galway), J O’Loughlin (Laois), K McGourty (Antrim); C Lyng (Wexford), D Kingston (Laois), R Kelly (Kildare). Subs: C Dyas (Dublin) for Kenny (22), D St Ledger (Carlow) for Kingston (42), T Warburton (Westmeath) for Fitzsimmons (50 mins), M Brasil (Offaly) for McGourty (54), M Coughlan (Dublin) for O’Loughlin (56).
N King (Galway); C McDonald (Tipperary), K O’Connor (Kerry), R Rochford (Mayo); K Conlon (Galway), P Gardiner (Mayo), J Moore (Galway); S Gilmartin (Sligo), D Coroon (Westmeath); B Geraghty (Offaly), A Dillon (Mayo), A Mullin (Derry) N Douglas (Mayo), F Deasmhunaigh (Cork), J Doherty (Mayo). Subs: G Higgins (Galway) for Coroon (36), C Mimnagh (Longford) for Douglas (38), S McHale (Mayo) for Moore (40), S McWeeney (Leitrim) for McDonald (48), M (Donegal) for Mullin (50).
Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan).
