McHale and Dawson impress as UL breeze past DCU to secure Sigerson Cup progress

Frank Irwin scored 0-3 for UL. Pic: David Farrell

Sigerson Cup: UL 1-18 DCU Dochas Eireann 0-12  

Cian McHale and Conal Dawson were in fine scoring form in north Dublin on Tuesday evening as University of Limerick progressed to the quarter-final stage of the Sigerson Cup with an impressive Round 2A victory over DCU Dochas Eireann.

Although defending champions DCU remain in the competition, David Power’s well-drilled UL outfit put out a statement of intent and look set to be one of the major contenders for top college honours this year.

Playing on their home turf, DCU stormed into this contest with four points in as many minutes from Senan Baker (two), Daragh Swords and Jack Tumulty. Yet UL eventually settled with a point from McHale and he added a second on 10 minutes to supplement an earlier effort by Jack Melvin.

Tumulty doubled his own personal account moments later to move DCU into a two-point lead, but the holders subsequently played second fiddle for the remainder of the opening period. In addition to singles from the impressive McHale and Cathal Ryan, Dawson and Frank Irwin knocked over two-pointers to move UL five clear in the 22nd minute.

Their chances of success received a further boost when Clare midfielder Brian McNamara smashed the ball to the net on 24 minutes and although DCU netminder Mike Tansley cancelled out a point from the roaming Sean Morohan, UL brought a convincing 1-11 to 0-6 cushion into the break.

Dawson got UL back up and running on the resumption with a fine score and while DCU’s Ethan Dunne kicked an eye-catching two-pointer, the visitors continued to control the matters thanks to impressive contributions from Irwin, McHale and influential centre-back Morohan.

This scoring burst effectively placed the tie beyond doubt inside the closing-quarter. Despite the hard-working Baker kicking three points late on for DCU, a fired-up UL had the final say with a single point by wing-back Charlie King and a brace from the outstanding Dawson.

Scorers for UL: C McHale 0-5 (1f), C Dawson 0-5 (1 2pt, 1f), F Irwin 0-3 (1 2pt), B McNamara 1-0, S Morohan 0-2, C King, C Ryan, J Melvin 0-1 each.

Scorers for DCU Dochas Eireann: S Baker 0-5 (1 2ptf), E Dunne 0-2 (2pt), J Tumulty 0-2, M Tansley (’45), D Swords, S Carr 0-1 each.

UL: T O’Callaghan (St Breckan’s); T Walsh (Kanturk), T Ross (Curry), B Dempsey (Portlaoise); P O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers), S Morohan (Castlebar Mitchels), C King (Ballina); B McNamara (Cooraclare), C Brosnan (Currow); C Dawson (Westport), J McCabe (Corofin), C Ryan (Rathmore); J Melvin (Davitts), C McHale (Moy Davitts), F Irwin (Ballina Stephenites).

Subs: D Hogan (St Patrick’s) for McCabe, C Keavney (Parke KC) for Ryan (both 45), C. Collins (Rathmore) for McHale (49), C Corless (Davitts) for Walsh (56), C Campbell (St Barry’s) for O’Driscoll (59).

DCU Dochas Eireann: M Tansley (Austin Stacks); E Crowe (Ballyhaise), J Bannon (St Sylvester’s), L Kelly (Ratoath), B Masterson (Abbeylara); E Ward (Fuerty), G McEneaney (Skerries Harps), E O’Connor Flanagan (Skerries Harps); D Joyce (Claremorris), E Dunne (Skerries Harps); C Heffernan (Killeshin), L O’Dell (Templeogue Synge Street), D Swords (Caragh); C Dolan (Man O’War), S Baker (Caulry), J Tumulty (Padraig Pearses).

Subs: L Marren (Bunninadden) for Dolan (40), F McLoughlin (Westport) for O’Connor Flanagan (41), S Carr (Four Masters) for Joyce (45), D O’Leary (St Sylvester’s) for Ward (49), D Kettle (Fingal Ravens) for O’Dell (53).

Referee: C Dourneen (Cavan).