Ulster University eventually get motoring to seal Sigerson semi spot

In truth, the final margin could well have been greater but for a sloppy conclusion from the visitors that saw them concede 1-2 in added time but by that time, their place in the last four was all but sealed.

CLASS ACT: Ulster’s Ruairi Canavan kicks past DJ Early of TUD. Pic: Nick Elliott, Inpho

ULSTER UNIVERSITY 0-16 TU DUBLIN 1-10 

A strong third-quarter display proved decisive as University of Ulster defeated TU Dublin by three points in their d Sigerson Cup quarter-final in Grangegorman last evening.

In truth, the final margin could well have been greater but for a sloppy conclusion from the visitors that saw them concede 1-2 in added time.

Despite their bus being delayed on their journey down to the capital, it didn’t take the visitors too long to make an impression on the scoreboard as Niall Loughlin popped over in the 2nd minute. While Jack Flynn levelled matters soon after, it was evident from early on that University of Ulster were dictating the flow of the game.

An excellent Darragh Canavan score helped restore their lead in the 5th minute. Some strong running from deep and a sublime finish by Peter Óg McCartan doubled the Ulster advantage in the 13th minute with Cormac McGeogh replying in an instant.

TU Dublin were back on level terms as Killian McGinnis raced through for a superb solo score but they never managed to gain the lead as Ulster pushed on through two scores by Loughlin and Josh Largo Ellis.

While not overly impressing, the hosts found themselves back on level terms by the 27th minute as McGeogh and Sean Guiden clipped over to leave the teams deadlocked at 0-5 apiece.

The final word of the half belonged to Ulster however as Josh Largo Ellis mirrored McCartan’s point from wing-back to leave the slimmest of margins between the teams at the break. On the the restart though the visitors assumed complete control. Loughlin fisted over in the 35th minute while the Canavan brothers, Darragh and Ruairí were also troubling the umpires as Ulster moved four points clear.

Ciaran Daly should have netted in the 42nd minute but his low shot from close range was placed too close to TU Dublin goalkeeper Jake Turley, who parried over the crossbar.

Loughlin’s fourth point of the night ensured Ulster gained tangible reward for their dominance as their opponents opened their own second-half account as late as the 45th minute through Sam Hanafin. 

The contest meandered for a period with the free-taking of Ruairí Canavan and Guiden the primary cause of interest and scores with Cian Hanley’s goal in the third minute of added time arriving too later to spare TU Dublin their fate.

Scorers for Ulster University: N Loughlin, R Canavan (3f) 0-4 each, C Daly, D Canavan 0-2 each, J Largo Ellis, P Óg McCartan, O McCann, D Fullerton 0-1 apiece.

Scorers for TU Dublin: S Guiden 0-4 (3f, 1 ‘45’), C Hanley 1-0, C McGeogh 0-2, S Hanafin, K McGinnis, J Flynn, D McCartin 0-1 apiece.

Ulster University: R McGeehin; R Madill, R Boyle, S Donaghy; P Óg McCartan, R McCaffrey, J Largo Ellis; O McCann, B McCarron; C Daly, C Diamond, C Cush; D Canavan, N Loughlin, R Canavan. 

Subs: D Fullerton for Daly (49), J Cunningham for Loughlin (49), E Brown for D Canavan (49), E Magee for Largo Ellis (58).

TU Dublin: J Turley; DJ Early, D Finneran, N Carolan; C McGeogh, S Hanafin, F O’Shea; J Flynn, K McGinnis; S Guiden, J Lundy, R Deegan; D Campion, L Swan, C Fee. 

Subs: C Hanley for Lundy (half-time), B Carroll for O’Shea (half-time), S Cunnane for Deegan (35), D McCartin for Fee (43), C Reilly for Swan (48).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)