Donnelly on fire as UUJ send NUIM packing

AN ATTACKING masterclass by Tyrone full-forward Matthew Donnelly underpinned UUJ’s triumph over NUI Maynooth in yesterday’s first Sigerson Cup semi-final in Belfield.

The Trillick player was in sublime form as he shot five points from play over the hour. Indeed it was fitting that Donnelly should register the closing point of the game in the 62nd minute when he capped a run from deep in defence with an assured finish. The 2008 All-Ireland minor winner has yet to feature in the senior grade but on the evidence of this he’ll come into the frame as the season progresses.

UUJ were grateful to Donnelly’s excellent marksmanship as they were forced to cope with a ferocious challenge for honours by NUI Maynooth. The Kildare college had dumped UUJ out of last season’s Sigerson Cup at the last eight stage and they began this game in a fashion that hinted they were confident of repeating that. After the opening quarter they held a 0-5 to 0-2 lead and were full value for that position of supremacy.

The influential pairing of Conor Brophy and Craig Berrigan around the middle of the pitch gave them a strong foothold in the game. In attack Paul Cahillane pulled the strings from centre-forward while David Quinn’s freetaking was exemplary as he shot three points in those early stages. Niall Murphy and Padraig Ó’Conghaile were also doing fine work for NUI Maynooth and they laid solid foundations for the remainder of the game.

After nervous start, UUJ began to play with greater assurance before the interval. The switch of Monaghan senior Dessie Mone onto Cahillane paid off as he quelled the input of the Laois senior and Niall Holly thundered into the match at midfield. Up front they had an array of willing scoretakers in Tyrone pair Diarmuid McNulty and Donnelly, Derry’s Caolan O’Boyle and Monaghan sharpshooter Conor McManus. They strung together six points on the bounce and by half-time UUJ had edged 0-8 to 0-5 in front.

In the second-half UUJ continued to force the issue and make headway up front. Donnelly lobbed over a brace with and O’Boyle registered a fine score from distance. By the 45th minute UUJ were 0-11 to 0-6 in front and they seemed to be cruising. NUI Maynooth were rushing their shots in attack and they seemed to need a goal to ignite their challenge. An enterprising run by Gavin McIntyre along the endline in the 41st minute nearly prised open the UUJ rearguard but when the played the ball across, Cian Mullins found himself swallowed up and the chance was gone.

But manager John Divilly has infused this NUI Maynooth setup with battling qualities and they surfaced as the game drifted towards the finale. Brophy launched over a fabulous point after a forceful run in the 47th minute and Cahillane clipped over a free in the 50th minute. That cut the gap to 0-11 to 0-8 and then substitute Tommy Johnson nearly crowned an impressive run with a crucial goal in the 52nd minute but Gerard McCartan got back to clear the ball off the line for UUJ.

NUI Maynooth ploughed on undeterred and after Cahillane clipped over another free in the 56th minute, midfielder Craig Berrigan got forward for a fine point in the 59th minute. UUJ were on the ropes and were relieved to see Brophy’s effort for an equaliser just fall wide. The Northern side steadied themselves and the classy Donnelly sealed their passage to the final with a late point.

Scorers for UUJ: M Donnelly 0-5; D McNulty, C McManus, C O’Boyle 0-2 each; C McGinley 0-1.

Scorers for NUI Maynooth: D Quinn (Na Fianna) 0-4 (four frees); P Cahillane 0-2 (two frees); P Ó’Conghaile, N Murphy, C Brophy, C Berrigan 0-1 each.

UUJ: G Kelly (Tyrone); G McCartan (Monaghan), B Donaghy (Armagh), C Galligan (Monaghan); D Mone (Monaghan), D Morgan (Monaghan), C McGinley (Tyrone); C Murney (Down), N Holly (Derry); D McNulty (Tyrone), C O’Boyle (Derry), P Hughes (Tyrone); J McAnulla (Tyrone), M Donnelly (Tyrone), C McManus (Monaghan). Subs: K Dyas (Armagh) for Hughes (55), J O’Neill (Armagh) for McAnulla (55), C Donnelly (Tyrone) for McGinley (59).

NUI MAYNOOTH: S Connolly (Kildare); C Freeman (Dublin), D Booth (Laois), T Gallagher (Longford); P Ó’Conghaile (Galway), D Quinn (Dublin – Lucan Sarsfields), K O’Brien (Kildare); C Brophy (Kildare), C Berrigan (Meath); M Hanratty (Monaghan), P Cahillane (Laois), N Murphy (Meath); F Barry (Kildare), G McIntyre (Dublin), D Quinn (Dublin – Na Fianna).

Subs: W Ryan (Meath) for Ó’Conghaile (18), C Mullins (Dublin) for Hanratty (half-time), T Johnson (Meath) for Gallagher (48), C Mallon (Meath) for Barry (54).

Referee: Pat Fox (Westmeath)