DCU win Sigerson Cup for first time

DCU 0-11 QUB 1-04

DCU have won the Sigerson Cup for the first time in the Glasnevin college's history last night, beating Queen's University, Belfast by 0-11 to 1-04 in the final at Parnell Park.

Niall Moyna's men got the better of Queen's, who were losing a Sigerson final for the third successive year.

Queen's, managed by former Down forward Dan McCartan, fell to Sligo IT in both 2004 and 2005.

While hosts DCU were without the suspended quartet of Ross Munnelly (Laois), Dessie Dolan (Westmeath), Shane Ryan (Dublin) and Diarmuid Kinsella (Wexford), they could still rely on a sizeable contingent of inter-county stars - including Dublin regulars Brian Cullen, the DCU captain, Declan Laly, Paul Casey and goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton.

But Cavan's Seanie Johnston (0-04 (1f)) and Mayo forward Conor Mortimer (0-04 (2f)) had the most influence for DCU as they hit eight points between them in the historic win.

The sides were locked at 0-04 apiece at half time.

Johnston, wearing natty white bicycle shorts, hit two of DCU's openers, while Queen's Michael O'Rourke also struck an early brace.

It took Bernard Brogan, son of the former Dublin forward of the same name, only 36 seconds to open the scoring for DCU.

Johnston's two points - one each off his right and left - then pushed the hosts into a 0-03 to 0-01 lead.

Successive points from O'Rourke, Eoin McCartan and O'Rourke again saw Queen's hit the front but Ronan Flanagan nudged over an injury-time point to square it up before the break.

The elusive Johnston pointed twice in the opening seven minutes of the second half to push DCU back in front, but the Belfast boys were allowed back into it on 39 minutes when Casey was found guilty of fouling Eoin McCartan in the square.

Antrim senior Kevin McGourty stepped up to slot home the penalty for a 1-04 to 0-06 lead.

That was to be Queen's final score on the night as the 23-year-old Mortimer came into his own in the closing quarter-hour.

The Shrule Glencorrib clubman landed a free on 46 minutes before Queen's midfielder Conan O'Brien was sent-off for his second bookable offence - what was a rather meaningless challenge on Lally.

With a man advantage, DCU cantered clear. Monaghan midfielder Eoin Lennon pointed before Mortimer, who scored three points - two from play - in the final 12 minutes, almost single-handedly sealed the Dubliners' success.

Scorers:

DCU: S Johnston (1f), C Mortimer (2f) 0-04 each, B Brogan, R Flanagan, E Lennon 0-01 each

QUB: K McGourty 1-00 (1-00 pen), M O’Rourke 0-02 (1f), B Mallon (1f), E McCartan 0-01 each