‘Players are being flogged’

Previous Sigerson Cup finalists must be green with envy.

UCD and NUIG enter this afternoon’s third-level decider having not kicked a ball in earnest since their respective semi-final victories on Wednesday evening. Compared with how the Sigerson finals weekend was structured in years past, three days of a break between the penultimate round and final is not to be scoffed at.

Think back to the 2015 finals weekend at the Mardyke, where on the Friday afternoon, DCU’s Enda Smith successfully latched onto the rebound of his saved penalty in second-half stoppages to send the Glasnevin University into the decider. Less than 24 hours later, extra-time was required to separate themselves and UCC. A hugely entertaining two days of fare for the neutral, yes. For the players, not so much.