Sigerson Cup previews

Last year’s defeated finalists, UCC, are at this stage for the fifth consecutive year under the management of Billy Morgan. In terrible conditions against Trinity College, they showed a maturity in game-management, while the quarter-final win against neighbours Cork IT they showcased their attacking potency.

Any one of the full-forward line of Tipperary’s Michael Quinlivan and Kerrymen Paul Geaney and Conor Cox can score heavily, while the all-Cork half-forward unit of Luke Connolly, Alan Cronin and Brian O’Driscoll is perfectly balanced. Ian Maguire is developing into a top-class midfielder and in defence Conor Dorman is showing why he has become a part of the Cork panel. But they will face a test tougher than either of the previous two against today’s opponents. NUI Maynooth have reigning Footballer of the Year Michael Dara Macauley in their ranks and he forms an excellent midfield with Dean Kelly. Their attack is also laden with quality, such as Paddy McBrearty (Donegal), Paddy Brophy and Paul Cribbin (both Kildare) and Meath’s Eamonn Wallace. How their half-backs, Kildare’s Fergal Conway, Jamie Gonoud (Westmeath) and Eric Lowndes of Dublin, deal with their opponents could be crucial.