DCU 1-14
UUJ 0-13
Orla Bannon reports from Jordanstown
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS DCU set up an all-Dublin Sigerson Cup final against UCD after leading from start to finish against tournament hosts UUJ in today’s semi-final clash in Belfast.
Monaghan’s Shane Carey kicked 1-8, including seven frees, and his goal midway through the first half gave the Dublin side a cushion they never surrendered.
UUJ fought back with four points in a row to close to within two points late on, but DCU held out with Carey punishing a wasteful home side.
DCU scored the first three points through Ultan Harney, David Mannix and Carey’s free inside six minutes.
Fine long-range scores from Richie Donnelly and Kieran Hughes brought UUJ to within 0-4 to 0-2 behind, before a defensive lapse by Donnelly allowed Carey to score the only goal of the game from close range after 14 minutes.
Jordanstown struggled to penetrate DCU’s defence and DCU led by 1-5 to 0-5 at the break.
They had a good third quarter, making far better use of possession while UUJ were wasteful, hitting seven first-half wides and also dropped half a dozen shots into the goalkeeper’s hands.
DCU led by 1-11 to 0-8 midway through the second half, following two superb points inside 60 seconds from Davy Byrne and Stephen Attride.
The home side mounted a spirited comeback with two long-range points from Kieran Hughes, another from Ryan McHugh and a McBrearty free.
However referee Padraig Hughes spotted an off-the-ball foul by Ricky Johnston, allowing Carey to halt the UUJ momentum with a close-in free.
Scorers for DCU: Shane Carey 1-8 (0-7f), Enda Smith 0-2 (0-1f), Stephen Attride, David Mannix, Davy Byrne, Ultan Harney 0-1 each
Scorers for UUJ: Patrick McBrearty 0-6 (5f), K Hughes 0-4, R Donnelly 0-2, S Hearon 0-1.
DCU
Philip O’Donnell (Glenswilly, Donegal)
Killian Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks, Westmeath)
Kevin Feely (Athy, Kildare)
Jack Smith (Skerries Harps, Dublin)
Stephen Attride (Killeshin, Laois)
Conor Moynagh (Drumgoon, Cavan)
Colm Begley (Parnells, Laois)
Steven O’Brien (Ballina, Tipperary)
Enda Smith (Boyle, Roscommon)
Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber, Mayo)
Michael Quinn (Killoe, Longford)
Davy Byrne (Ballymun Kickhams, Dublin)
David Mannix (Austin Stacks, Kerry)
Ultan Harney (Clann Na nGael, Roscommon)
Shane Carey (Scotstown, Monaghan)
Subs
Conor McGraynor (Avondale, Wicklow) for Mannix (35)
Shane Carthy (Naomh Mearnóg, Dublin) for Smith (45)
Dessie Ward (Ballybay, Monaghan) for Byrne (51)
Simon McCoy (Armagh Harps, Armagh) for O’Connor (BC, 54)
Caolan McGonagle (Buncrana, Donegal) for Harney (59)
Rory Connor (Kenagh, Longford) for Harney (60)
UUJ
Sean Fox (Killyclogher, Tyrone)
Ricky Johnston (Creggan, Antrim)
Ronan McNamee (Aghayaran, Tyrone)
Killian Clarke (Shercock, Cavan)
Ryan McHugh (Kilcar, Donegal)
Rory Brennan (Trillick, Tyrone)
Stephen Sheridan (Forkhill, Armagh)
Niall McKeever (Portglenone, Antrim)
Richard Donnelly (Trillick, Tyrone)
Conan Grugan (Omagh, Tyrone)
Michael Argue (Baileborough, Cavan)
Ryan McAnespie (Emyvale, Monaghan)
Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar, Donegal)
Kieran Hughes (Scotstown, Monaghan)
Cailean O’Boyle (Lavey, Derry)
Subs
Evan Regan (Ballina, Mayo) for O’Boyle (40)
Gareth McKinless (Ballinderry, Derry) for Grugan (43)
Shane Heavron (Magherafelt, Derry) for Argue (48)
P Hughes (Armagh) for Johnston (58)
Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh)