DCU welcome MTU Kerry back to Sigerson fare with 17-point hammering

Ethan Dunne of DCU Dóchas Éireann in action against Donagh O'Sullivan of MTU Kerry. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Sigerson Cup: DCU 2-22 MTU Kerry 0-11 

They weren't expecting a welcoming party on their first game back in the Sigerson Cup but MTU Kerry didn't expect to face a firing squad either.

This was a tough outing for the Trench Cup holders who fell into hosts DCU's slipstream early on and never really escaped it.

In fact, when Dublin senior Greg McEnaney rifled in DCU's opening goal in the 19th minute, putting the five-time champions 1-7 to 0-2 ahead, the writing was already on the wall.

It only got worse from there for MTU Kerry who hit the interval trailing by a whopping dozen points, 1-14 to 0-5, and finished up 17 points adrift.

It wasn't a margin that flattered DCU either as they impressed in all areas, from their clever use of the ball both with and against the stiff wind, to their precise kick-outs to their unerring accuracy.

Niall Dolan palmed in their second goal after rising up highest in the goalmouth in the 38th minute and with a 16-point lead at that stage, that was pretty much that.

DCU kept applying the pressure though and big full-forward Senan Baker, son of Clare hurling great Ollie, kept tapping over the frees, finishing with seven points.

McEnaney and Ethan Dunne, clubmates at Skerries, were excellent at midfield while Conor Dolan from the nearby Man O'War club in north Dublin was on song too, particularly in the first-half.

And when DCU unloaded their bench in the second-half, Donegal's Johnny McGroddy, who kicked a beautiful score from the left wing, and Roscommon's Jack Tumulty contributed three points between them to underline the squad depth.

DCU will face bigger battles in Round 2 and beyond but it was a performance to suggest they can go deep into the competition nonetheless.

MTU Kerry will hope to regroup when they get their second chance though it will require back-to-back wins from them now to reach the quarter-finals. They scored just two points from play overall with free-taker Darragh O'Connor from Tralee their principal scorer, hitting 0-8 overall.

They struggled with DCU's power, slick interplay and directness with Leitrim's Tom Prior also showing up well for the 2020 champions, kicking four points.

DCU scorers: S Baker (0-7, 6 frees); T Prior, C Dolan (0-4 each); G McEnaney, N Dolan (1-0 each); E Dunne (0-3); J Tumulty (0-2); R Donoghue, J McGroddy (0-1 each).

MTU Kerry scorers: D O'Connor (0-8, 7 frees, 1 mark); E Healy (0-2); E Horan (0-1, 1 free).

DCU: E McGuinness (Longford); B Masterson (Longford), A Gavin (Dublin), E O'Connor Flanagan (Dublin); D Joyce (Mayo), R Gallagher (Donegal), C Caulfield (Meath); G McEnaney (Dublin), E Dunne (Dublin); N Dolan (Kildare), R Donoghue (Cavan), C Dolan (Dublin); L Marren (Sligo), S Baker (Westmeath), T Prior (Leitrim).

Subs: J McGroddy (Donegal) for C Dolan (38); L Glennon (Roscommon) for Caulfield (42); McDonald (Dublin) for McEnaney (46); J Tumulty (Roscommon) for Prior (46).

MTU Kerry (Kerry unless stated): C Melia (Offaly); D Buckley, J Nagle, S Brosnan; M Nee (Galway), A Heinrich, L Brosnan; E Healy, E Horan; C Horan, D O'Sullivan, E Boyle; D O'Connor, K Evans, C Murphy.

Subs: C O'Sullivan for Murphy (38); C McEneaney (Monaghan) for Horan (42); C O'Brien (Cork) for L Brosnan (48); D Bryant (Offaly) for Evans (55).

Referee: C Reilly (Meath).