Physically imposing UCD easily account for MTU Kerry in Sigerson Cup quarter-final

Cormac Egan and Paul Honeyman both scored braces of goals for UCD.

INFLUENTIAL: Meath's Diarmuid Moriarty scored four points from play in UCD's easy Sigerson Cup quarter-final victory over MTU Kerry. Pic: Thomas Flinkow, Sportsfile

Sigerson Cup quarter-final: UCD 5-18 MTU KERRY 1-4 

UCD are the first team to secure their place in the semi-finals of the Electric Ireland HE Sigerson Cup after comprehensively accounting for MTU Kerry by twenty-six points in their disappointingly one-sided quarter-final at Billings Park on Tuesday evening.

MTU Kerry delivered a superb attacking performance when overcoming MTU Cork a week previously but after a relatively encouraging opening quarter, their challenge dissipated against a physically imposing UCD side with the final whistle of referee Anthony Nolan a source of relief for the visitors by the end.

That such a margin would separate the teams seemed unlikely given the sharpness that MTU showed in the early stages, as they took the lead within the opening minute through a free by the lively Darragh O’Connor.

While the hosts levelled matters in the fourth minute through the influential Diarmuid Moriarty, their early play was littered with unforced errors as they turned the ball over with increasing regularity.

MTU took advantage of their opponents’ sloppiness as O’Connor converted his second free in the 12th minute after Eddie Horan was impeded close to goal.

UCD captain Daire Cregg should have netted two minutes later but fired over the crossbar from eight yards while at the opposite end, O’Connor eschewed the ‘mark’ as he cut inside to leave just a point separating the teams by the 19th minute.

Barry McNulty of UCD and MTU’s Donagh Buckley exchanged scores soon after but the visitors were dealt a massive blow in the 25th minute as Cormac Egan cut through the heart of their defence before firing a rising shot beyond the helpless Conor Melia from ten yards.

Suitably encouraged, UCD dominated the closing stages of the half as Luke Breathanch popped over a brace of points with further scores in quick succession from Donncha Gilmore and Ryan O’Toole building a 1-9 to 0-4 lead by half-time.

Half-time offered brief respite for MTU as their struggles continued in an even more pronounced manner after the break.

Substitute Ben O’Carroll made the most of UCD’s supremacy as he added a quickfire brace while Cregg and Moriarty also pointed before Egan highlighted his predatory instincts with a goal from close range in the 39th minute.

MTU were unable to secure primary possession as their physically superior opponents broke through in waves and it wasn’t long before O’Carroll found the net following an excellent team move that involved Breathnach and Darragh McElearney.

Keith Evans battled throughout for the visitors and he gained tangible reward for his determination as he found the net in the 48th minute, but it proved an all too brief moment of positivity for his side.

Paul Honeyman was keen to make an impression following his introduction at the end of the first quarter and he duly delivered with two goals in the closing stages, scores that reflected UCD’s comfort by the end.

Scorers for UCD: C Egan, P Honeyman 2-0 each; B O’Carroll 1-3; D Moriarty 0-4; B McNulty, D Cregg, K Roche (1f), L Breathnach 0-2 each; R O’Toole, P Duffy, D Gilmore 0-1 apiece.

Scorers for MTU Kerry: D O’Connor 0-3 (2f); K Evans 1-0; D Buckley 0-1.

UCD: K Roche (Killeshin, Laois); R O’Toole (Drumhowan, Monaghan), T Clancy (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin), D McElearney (Scotstown, Monaghan); J Moran (Emmet Óg Killoe, Longford), C Drumm (The Downs, Westmeath), S Callinan (Ballina Stephenites, Mayo); P Duffy (Cuala, Dublin), D Gilmore (Steelstown Brian Ógs, Derry); D Cregg (Boyle, Roscommon), B McNulty (Glencar Manorhamilton, Leitrim), C Egan (Tullamore, Offaly); D Moriarty (Curraha, Meath), L Breathnach (Ballinteer St John’s, Dublin), A Lynch (Trim, Meath). 

Subs: C McMorrow (Cuala, Dublin) for Drumm (half-time), L Smith (Ballinteer St John’s, Dublin) for Callinan (half-time), B O’Carroll (St Brigid’s, Roscommon) for Moran (half-time); M McNally (Ballinteer St John’s, Dublin) for Egan (40), P Honeyman (Ballinamore Sean Heslin’s, Leitrim) for Cregg (45).

MTU KERRRY (Kerry unless stated): C Melia (Bracknagh, Offaly); S Brosnan (Ardfert), J Nagle (Austin Stacks), M Nee (Caran Cashel, Galway); A Heinrich (Austin Stacks), E Healy (Listowel Emmets), D Buckley (Kerins O’Rahilly’s); S O’Brien (Beaufort), E Boyle (Ballyduff); D O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearse’s), E Horan (Scartaglin), C Horan (Austin Stacks); D O’Connor (Kerins O’Rahilly’s), K Evans (Keel), C O’Sullivan (Kerins O’Rahilly’s). 

Subs: C Murphy (Kilgarvan) for C Horan (44), D Bryant (Shamrocks, Offaly) for E Horan (48), C O’Brien (Bantry Blues, Cork) for Nee (48), D O’Leary (Gneeveguilla), for C O’Sullivan (55).

Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).