Second-half surge powers UCD past University of Galway into Sigerson Cup semis

Galway headed for the dressing room at half-time two points up but UCD turned up the heat

David Garland of UCD in action against Colin Murray of University of Galway during the Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Sigerson Cup quarter-final match between University of Galway and UCD at Dangan in Galway. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Sigerson Cup: University of Galway 1-6 UCD 1-14 

UCD clinched a place in the final four of the Sigerson Cup with a storming second half against University of Galway in Dangan.

The home side headed for the dressing room at half-time two points up after an impressive opening half hour but fluffed a series of chances in the second half and finished with 14 men, Galway’s Cathal Sweeney sent to the line for a second yellow card.

“It was a great game of football. End to end, a lot of quality footballers on display,” said UCD manager John Divilly post-match. “The last quarter we just put a little daylight between us. Galway to be fair were unfortunate to lose a goalkeeper earlier today. Fair play to young Egan, it is not easy to go from wingback into goal.

“We put a good squeeze on and just intercepted a few balls. We got that bit of luck and finished it thankfully.” 

Maurice Sheridan’s outfit had to get creative as Cavan goalkeeper Liam Brady was unable to start. Offaly’s Rory Egan, who lined out at wing-back in their previous round victory over St Mary’s, took his place between the posts. The new number one showed brightly in the opening half, getting off all his restarts and stepping up with two big saves.

In the meantime, Cillian Ó Curraoin rattled off a series of frees and one mark while Ryan O’Donoghue finished a sweeping counterattack that started with an excellent Conor Murray turnover and finished with Daniel Flaherty squaring to the Mayo full-forward for a goal.

UCD knew they had to change tack having coughed up several turnovers against a hard-hitting set defence. St Brigid’s star Ben O’Carroll was introduced along with Liam Costello. They pressed UoG’s kickout aggressively and eventually a tough opponent cracked.

The outstanding David Garland started the swing with a mark. The Monaghan forward drove on to clip another mark, a monster effort from just outside the 45 and the final score of the day.

With 15 minutes remaining, UCD lead by one. They then fired 1-7 before the final whistle while UoG could only find one Flaherty point in response.

Throughout that spell the tie threatened to lurch in either direction. Cian Monaghan struck the post and the rebound fell for Tommy Conroy, who elected to square for Tomo Culhane rather than go for goal himself. The palmed effort was stopped by Killian Roche. At the other end, Ryan O’Toole endured similar struggles when he was unable to convert a breakaway move.

The killer goal came after a short Egan kickout was picked off and finished by Luke Breathnach at the third time of asking. From then on, UCD hit five out of six shots. The one short free led to a 45 that Roche ultimately converted. An awesome close yet Divilly is hopeful they can improve their opening in the semi-final.

“We looked a little leggy at the start, I don’t know if it was the trip down or flatness from the weekend with lads involved, we definitely need to start better,” he said.

“It was lovely to bring Ben O’Carroll on there. He had such a brilliant year with Brigid’s and was so disappointed after last weekend, but he wanted to be here tonight. Took him a couple of balls but he got into it then.” 

Scorers for University of Galway: Cillian Ó Curraoin 0-4 (1 mark, 3 frees), Ryan O’Donoghue 1-0, C Monaghan 0-1, Daniel Flaherty 0-1.

Scorers for UCD: David Garland 0-5 (2 free, 2 mark), Luke Breathnach 1-0, Daire Cregg 0-3 (2 free), Killian Roche 0-2 (2 45s), Aaron Lynch 0-1, Jonathan Lynam 0-1, Donncha Gilmore 0-1, Ryan O’Toole 0-1.

UoG (Galway unless stated): R Egan (Offaly); C Dunleavy (Mayo), E Lyons (Sligo), C Murray; C Sweeney, C Mulligan (Sligo), D Flaherty; J McLoughlin, D Kilcommins; Liam Ó Conghaile, T Conroy (Mayo), C Monaghan; R Fallon (Roscommon), R O’Donoghue (Mayo), C Ó Curraoin.

Subs: T Culhane for Ó Conghaile, C Corcoran for Murray (39), D Brady for Monaghan, M McInerney (Clare) for Ó Curraoin (54).

Sent off: C Sweeney (second yellow, 53).

UCD: K Roche (Laois); L Smith (Dublin), R Brickenden (Mayo), D McElearney (Monaghan); R O’Toole (Monaghan), S Callinan (Mayo), S Coffey (Meath); P Duffy (Dublin), J Lynam (Westmeath); D Gilmore (Derry), D Cregg (Roscommon), L Breathnach (Dublin); A Lynch (Meath), D Moriarty (Meath), D Garland (Monaghan) 

Subs: B O’Carroll (Roscommon) for Lynch, L Costello (Galway) for Duffy (half-time), C Bolton (Kildare) for Gilmore (44), K Kennedy (Dublin) for Smith (60).

Referee: L Devanney (Mayo).