14-man UL hold on to claim Division 1 football title for first time

Key to the UL success were Brian McNamara, Conal Dawson and the impressive all-action Cillian Campbell

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025 - 21:48

Tom Clancy at Maguires Field, UL

University of Limerick 2-20 (2-3-14) University of Galway 2-16 (2-3-8)

A first for the University of Limerick, as they annexed the Higher Education Division One Football League title on home soil, despite playing the final third of the game with just fourteen men.

New manager David Power will have been pleased with the defensive and counter-attacking display after Hugh O’Loughlin was dismissed for an off the ball incident on 36 minutes. With the gap at six points at this juncture, Galway dominated possession but could only get to within one but never level, before UL closed the door with a late two pointer from Cian McHale.

While the Sigerson Cup is the ultimate goal for the Mid-West outfit, silverware is always welcome and their new-look management team will know they have a quality squad to work with.

Key to the UL success were Brian McNamara, Conal Dawson and the impressive all-action Cillian Campbell. The corner-back made a crucial intervention, clearing the ball off the line in the closing stages, as the Galway outfit sought a game levelling green flag.

On a night that was ideal for football, UL’s grass surface at Maguires played as well as any other pitch could after all the recent rain, and this allowed for a high-tempo and high quality contest. The game saw six two-pointers as well as some poor 50m penalties against both sides, who perhaps are still seeking their cohesion given the overlap with club commitments.

The hosts enjoyed a three-point interval lead, after the sides were level five times in the opening half. Dara Hurley’s goal gave Galway an early four point lead but when McNamara replied within three minutes, UL were back in front, 1-4 to 1-3.

There was a second goal for Galway, with Eoin Colleran finishing off a move that had Clare’s Mark McInerney prominent. The visitors were efficient and clinical in attack in the opening half.

The late scores, including a two-pointer from Conal Dawson saw the men in white lead 1-13 to 2-7 after a very lively contest. The goal from the throw-in was a huge score, particularly given the red card that was to come.

The move saw Sean Morohan power through the middle, before drop-kicking to the net. Another Frank Irwin free moved the gap to seven.

Despite the red-card, UG struggled to find the space, with the late brace of two pointers from Shane McGrath hauling them back into the contest. Maurice Sheridan’s charges wasted a handful of good attacks, with three efforts lashed wide, while two more were blocked.

UL punished them late on before collecting the silverware to round-out a quality league campaign.

Scorers for University of Limerick: F Irwin 0-9 (6f, 1 tpf); S Morohan 1-2; C Dawson 0-4 (1 tp); C McHale 0-3 (tpf, f); B McNamara 1-0; P O’Driscoll, J McCabe 0-1 each.

Scorers for University of Galway: S McGrath 0-5 (2tp); E Colleran 1-2; D Hurley 1-1; C O Curraoin 0-3 (1 tpf); M McInerney 0-2 (1 ’45); L O’Connor 0-1.

UL: T O’Callaghan (St. Breckan’s, Clare); C Campbell (St. Barry’s, Roscommon), T Ross (Curry, Sligo), J O’Neill (Ardfinnan, Tipperary); P O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers, Cork), S Morohan (Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo), C King (Ballina, Tipperary); B McNamara (Cooraclare, Clare), H O’Loughlin (Kilmaine, Mayo); C Dawson (Westport, Mayo), J McCabe (Corofin, Galway), C Brosnan (Currow, Kerry); J Melvin (Davitts, Mayo), C McHale (Moy Davitts, Mayo), F Irwin (Ballina Stephenites, Mayo).

Subs: J Morris (Clonmel Commercials, Tipperary) for O’Neill (20); D Buckley (Cork) for Melvin (39); C Corless (Mayo) for Brosnan (46); A Meade (Rathkeale, Limerick) for McCabe (61).

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY: C Walsh (Claregalway, Galway); E Finnerty (St. James’, Galway), C Moriarty (Annascaul, Kerry), J Folan (St. James’, Galway); C Harley (Padraig Pearses, Roscommon), B Cogger (Corofin, Galway), D Lowry (Moate, Westmeath); C Mulligan (St. Patrick’s, Sligo), S Hansberry (Menlough, Galway); D Hurley (Claremorris, Mayo), M Thompson (Salthill Knocknacarr, Galway), S McGrath (Dunmore MacHales, Galway); E Colleran (Padraig Pearses, Roscommon), C Ó Curraoin (Micheal Breathnach, Galway), M McInerney (Eire Óg, Clare).

Subs: R Hester (Western Gales, Roscommon) for Hansberry (35); L O’Connor (Claregalway, Galway) for Harley (42); J Lonergan (Claregalway, Galway) for Lowry (45); E Monagan (Claregalway, Galway) for Hurley (47); J Nolan (St. James’, Galway) for McGrath (63).

Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary).