McLoone inspires UUJ to victory

Donegal’s Leo McLoone spent a large part of last year out through injury, but the versatile Naomh Conaill clubman led from the front at Dangan yesterday as last year’s runners-up booked their place in the last four of the Sigerson Cup.

McLoone produced a storming display from centre-back to guide UUJ past NUIG with a strong finish.

The game seemed set for extra-time when UUJ, playing against the wind, finished strongly with Tyrone’s Mattie Donnelly leading the way.

NUIG manager John Maughan said it was very disappointing for the Galway college, especially as they will be hosting the Sigerson Cup semi-finals and final the weekend after next.

“It’s gut-wrenching. It was a typical Sigerson Cup match but unfortunately a few breaks didn’t go our way. I’ve no fault with the effort and I don’t want to take anything away from their victory, but we had chances to win it and didn’t take them,” said the former Mayo manager.

Both sides had chances to win it in an exciting finish but it was the Ulster college who came good with Mattie Donnelly putting them ahead in the second minute of stoppage.

They regained possession from a quick kick-out and when Shay McGuigan was hauled down by Kieran McDonald, Donnelly tapped the resultant penalty over the bar before Diarmuid McNulty then added another point.

But it was NUIG who seemed poised for victory prior to that but were unable to finish good chances with the wind at their backs, Kevin Conlon blasting a great goal chance wide after 40 minutes.

At that stage John Maughan’s men led 1-6 to 0-9 after points from Shane Moran, Jason Doherty and Conlon had edged them in front but, remarkably, they failed to score after that.

McNulty levelled with 11 minutes remaining and as both sides missed chances, extra-time seemed likely before Donnelly seized the moment.

NUIG had a great start against the wind with a 10th minute goal from Doherty, but McLoone, McNulty, Kieran Hughes and Donnelly were outstanding for UUJ and, having been level at 1-3 to 0-6 at the interval, nailed the semi-final spot and a tilt at a sixth crown with that excellent finish.

Scorers for UUJ: M Donnelly 0-5 (0-1 pen); D McNulty 0-3; L McLoone, A McArdle, P Devlin (0-1f); K Hughes 0-1 each.

NUIG scorers: J Doherty 1-1; L Healy, F Deasmhunaigh, N Douglas (f), S Moran and K Conlon 0-1 each.

UUJ: S McCormack (Kildare); G McCartan (Down), A McClean (Antrim), R Pickering (Tyrone); E Wade (Donegal), L McLoone (Donegal), C McGinley (Tyrone); N McAdam (Monaghan), A McArdle (Down); P Devlin (Down), P Hughes (Tyrone), M Donnelly (Tyrone); D McNulty (Tyrone), K Hughes (Monaghan), R McNabb (Tyrone).

Subs: C Clarke (Down) for McArdle, 43; C Sheridan (Leitrim) for Devlin, 51; S McGuigan (Tyrone) for P Hughes, 57.

NUIG: D O’Sullivan (Limerick); L Healy (Clare), G Sweeney (Galway), K McDonald (Tipperary); R Rochford (Mayo), J Maloney (Offaly), R Kiely (Tipperary); S Guing (Offaly), S Moran (Leitrim); F Deasmhunaigh (Cork), S Gilmartin (Sligo), K Conroy (Mayo); N Douglas (Mayo), J Doherty (Mayo), I Galvin (Kerry).

Subs: K Conlon (Leitrim) for Conroy, 25; G Higgins (Galway) for Galvin, 40; D Newcombe (Mayo) for Healy, 50.

Referee: Michael Rock (Clare).