Mighty Maynooth

For the first time since 1976, NUI Maynooth will feature in the Sigerson Cup final as the John Divilly’s outfit ended a luckless run of semi-final defeats at Dangan yesterday.

In the process they ended UCC’s aspirations of retaining the title, but the champions’ exit had a tinge of controversy to it. In the 36th minute UCC stared at an eight-point deficit, 2-8 to 1-3, but a heroic revival nearly saw them secure an improbable victory.

With just a minute left, UCC trailed 2-10 to 2-8 when substitute Mark Reen, who made an excellent contribution when introduced, flashed over what appeared a perfect point. But the umpire deemed otherwise and waved it wide, a decision that infuriated the UCC players and management.

Referee Sean Carroll agreed with his umpire’s decision and decided not to consult with his linesman who had a clear view.

It was a critical moment as UCC were forced to chase a goal to salvage their campaign and NUI Maynooth kept them at bay before their brilliant attacker Michael Newman brought the game to a close when he calmly converted a 45 in injury-time.

NUI Maynooth’s high work-rate and the superiority they exerted in the middle third entitled them to the winner’s garlands. But the match could have swerved on a different course if UCC had been awarded that point.

“I am sick when you see a decision like that out there,” fumed UCC manager Billy Morgan.

“The linesman was telling him ‘it’s a point’ but he would not come over. He [the linesman] had the best view of it. I had a good view of it because I was standing over there at the same angle. Then the last 50 which they scored from should not have been awarded because it was a blatant wide.

“But the best of luck to Maynooth. They are a fine team and I hope they go on to win the final.”

NUI Maynooth boss Divilly was elated his players had finally atoned for heartbreaking semi-final defeats over the past two years.

“I couldn’t see that shot as I was on the far side. But you’ll always get decisions that go against you in a game and I think these things balance themselves out. Coming towards the end, with UCC’s experience, it would have been no surprise if they drew level. But our boys dug in and showed great self-belief. I thought the scores and football from both sides was brilliant, it was real honest, man to man stuff.”

Divilly was entitled to laud his players as they produced some terrific passages of play. They dominated the first-half, with Craig Berrigan, Conor Brophy and Sean Hurley producing big performances, while Paul Cahillane and David Quinn posed problems with their trickery up front.

UCC were grateful to Mark Collins’ expert finish to the net in the seventh minute for keeping them in touch, while Shane Enright and Peter Crowley were responsible for some of their best movements. But they struggled to claim possession with NUI Maynooth on top and a couple of fine points from Newman pushed his side 0-6 to 1-2 ahead at the interval.

NUI Maynooth emerged for the second-half and unleashed a blistering phase of play. First Newman palmed to the net after a clever cross by Quinn and then Quinn himself raised a green flag after Cahillane superbly prised open the UCC rearguard. NUI Maynooth held a handsome advantage, 2-8 to 1-3, and were buoyant. UCC were struggling greatly, yet they roused themselves into life. The switch of JB Spillane to midfield saw them reap a dividend in that sector while Kevin O’Driscoll, Collins and substitute Reen thundered into the game. A strong run by Crowley enabled Stephen O’Brien to palm home a goal in the 39th minute that kick-started their revival. A series of classy points by the O’Driscoll’s, Kevin and Barry, Paul Geaney and Reen brought them within touching distance but they could not draw level. Reen’s disallowed point was a setback yet NUI Maynooth’s determination saw them over the line at the finish.

“We can’t complain, they were the hungrier, they fought tooth and nail for it and we left ourselves with too much to do,” admitted UCC selector Paul O’Keeffe.

“We have not played as well as we did last year, so maybe a bit of complacency set in after last year. We are gutted but that is the Sigerson. Teams come to an end very quickly and there will be new lads coming in next year.”

Scorers for NUI Maynooth: M Newman 1-4 (3fs), D Quinn 1-1, S Hurley, P Cahillane 0-2 each, T Moolick, S Denvir 0-1 each.

Scorers for UCC: M Collins (f), S O’Brien 1-1 each, B O’Driscoll 0-2 (45), J Buckley, K O’Driscoll, M Reen, P Geaney 0-1 each.

NUI MAYNOOTH: S Connolly (Kildare); K O’Brien (Kildare), K Lynch (Meath), D Dalton (Meath); T Moolick (Kildare), J McDermott (Dublin), S Denvir (Galway); C Berrigan (Meath), C Brophy (Kildare); J Califf (Louth), S Hurley (Kildare), C Mullins (Dublin); M Newman (Meath), P Cahillane (Laois), D Quinn (Na Fianna, Dublin).

Subs: P Óg Ó Gríofa (Galway) for Califf (40), S O’Hanlon (Louth) for Mullins (45), S Fahey (Kildare) for Berrigan (57), D Quinn (Lucan Sarsfields, Dublin) for Quinn (58).

UCC: D Farry (Cork); J O’Sullivan (Cork), E O’Mahony (Cork), S Enright (Kerry); P Crowley (Kerry), N Daly (Roscommon), B Daly (Cork); J Buckley (Kerry), K O’Driscoll (Cork), JB Spillane (Kerry), M Collins (Cork), D Nation (Cork); B O’Driscoll (Cork), S O’Brien (Kerry), P Geaney (Kerry).

Subs: M Reen (Kerry) for Nation (38), B Moran (Kerry) for Daly (45), G O’Grady (Kerry) for O’Brien (57).

Referee: Sean Carroll (Westmeath).