Fluent display powers UCC into Sigerson final
UCC’s Cormac Dillon. Pic: INPHO/Nick Elliott
UCC are Croke Park-bound after they eventually made a more fluent footballing display count against University of Galway at the Mardyke.
The Skull and Crossbones relied upon an early Ruairí Murphy goal and four Cormac Dillon points at key junctures to seal a Sigerson Cup final return for the first time since their 2023 triumph.
The 24-time champions will face Queen’s University or UL in the final at GAA HQ next Wednesday.
“It's going to be a fantastic occasion and it's a massive showcase for the inter-varsities, for the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon,” said UCC manager Paul O’Keeffe.
“It's been a brilliant idea to host the finals in Croke Park and I just can't wait for it now. I'm a bit shell-shocked after that, but brilliant, I can't wait.
“It's massive. How many times do you get to play in Crowe Park in a final? I've never been up there in terms of my playing days or anything else, so it's a massive occasion.
“The boys have risen to every occasion so far, so it'll be a great event. Hopefully we win the match, but yeah, it'll be phenomenal.
“We'll get a good look at our opponents tomorrow night and we'll do our homework, regroup early next week, and do our video stuff, all the usual, so it's just a case of keeping lads ticking over for the next week or so and see where we go.” O’Keeffe felt the performance can be improved upon, but the result was all-important.
“Semi-finals are ugly. It's just about getting the result. At half-time, we'd have been disappointed. We had a few goal chances and we let them back into the game. A lot of turnovers, sloppy stuff, but it was all nerves.
“I said to the lads before the game to play the match, not the occasion, and I think the occasion was beginning to get to them.
“Some of the odds that were given before the games were crazy stuff. I think we were 4-1 in the last game to win, so I'd like to thank Paddy Power’s for that one! In all seriousness, Sigerson is so tight, any team can beat any other team. You see some ridiculous odds and stuff like that, but it's all about the desire in the team. This team has buckets of it. We'll just drive on from here. Over the moon.”
This pair had eliminated last year’s finalists last weekend, with UCC dethroning DCU and the Corribsiders taking out UCD.
The hosts put in a dominant first quarter with some direct running down the heart of the maroon defence. Murphy, the captain and sole remaining starter from UCC’s last title in 2023, drew an early free when his charge down the middle was halted. Conor Daly tapped over.
With an early grip on the kick-out, they sliced through for the opening goal. Liam Evans bolted into space and laid off for Murphy to shoot. The Kerryman’s effort appeared to be pulled off target, but was deflected into the net by Jack Folan.
Ger Davoren got the visitors on the board with a half-blocked shot which carried over the crossbar. At the other end, Dillon was too easily picked out from a Daly free to make it 1-2 to 0-1.
Daly gave a great pass over the top to Ciarán Santry, who teed up Dillon for their next goal chance, only for the impressive Mike Moughan to get in a diving block. At the other end, Shane McGrath had an effort deflected out for a 45.
Eoin Colleran curled over a fine score before Jack Horgan pointed to restore their four-point lead.
University of Galway gained a lifeline in the 17th minute. McGrath and Tom O’Flaherty’s good work was embellished when Sigerson top-scorer Colleran skinned his marker and fired low to the net.
UCC, meanwhile, weren’t getting their reward due to poor shot selection and some courageous Galway defence. When Conor Corcoran blocked from Horgan, it was the third shot snuffed out in the early exchanges.
A Mark McInerney two-point free gave University of Galway their only lead after 22 minutes, but Conor Daly levelled. A superb diving block by Evans ensured parity remained, 1-4 apiece at half-time.
Daly had a shot tipped onto the post by Cillian Walsh after the restart, while McGrath smashed the crossbar.
Slowly, UCC began to creep away. Michael McSweeney countered for a point, Daly tacked on a free, and Dillon added three in a row.
Canice Mulligan pulled one back, but while Dillon was denied a goal, an Austin Murphy 45 and Ciarán Santry score made it 1-11 to 1-5.
University of Galway made it a one-score game with a Colleran point and McInerney’s second two-point free in the fourth added minute, but they couldn’t find the goal to bring the game to extra-time.
: C Dillon (0-4); R Murphy (1-0); C Daly (0-3, 2 frees); A Murphy (45), M McSweeney, J Horgan, C Santry (0-1 each).
E Colleran (1-2); M McInerney (0-4, 2tpf); C Mulligan, G Davoren (0-1 each).
: A Murphy (Renard); D Peet (Clonakilty), J O’Driscoll (Valley Rovers), D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks, Kerry); L Evans (Keel), C Molloy (Nemo Rangers), C Kenneally (Clonakilty); M McSweeney (Knocknagree), T Cunningham (Kilshannig); E Daly (Valentia Young Islanders), R Murphy (Listry), J Horgan (Firies); C Dillon (Duagh), C Daly (Clonakilty), C Santry (Carbery Rangers).
Subs: D Desmond (Ballincollig) for E Daly (45), H Aherne (Ballincollig) for Horgan (56).
: C Walsh (Claregalway); C Corcoran (Maigh Cuilinn), C Moriarty (Annascaul), J Folan (St James’s); M Moughan (Maigh Cuilinn), B Cogger (Corofin), C Mulligan (St Patrick’s); G Davoren (Maigh Cuilinn), S Hansberry (Menlough); C Sheridan (Shamrock Gaels), T O’Flaherty (Aghamore), S McGrath (Dunmore MacHales); M McInerney (Éire Óg Ennis), C Ó Curraoin (Micheál Breathnach), E Colleran (Pádraig Pearses).
Subs: L Ó Conghaile (An Spidéal) for Hansberry (36), Hansberry for Davoren (38, temp), J MacMonagle (Castlebar) for Hansberry (43), T McGrane (Naas) for Corcoran (51, inj), D Hurley (Claremorris) for McGrath (59).
: E Morrissey (Waterford).
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