DCU 2-8
UCD 0-11
Fintan O’Toole reports from the Mardyke in Cork
DCU STAGED A dramatic fightback before winning today’s first Sigerson Cup semi-final against UCD in a pulsating tie at the Mardyke.
Roscommon’s Enda Smith, who shone as he chipped in with 2-3 on the day, sized up an injury-time penalty for DCU after the tall frame of Conor McGraynor was hauled down by the UCD rearguard.
DCU trailed by a point, 0-11 to 1-7, at that stage and they had conceded six points on the bounce as UCD wrestled back control of the second-half.
Smith elected to go for goal rather than popping over a point to tie the game but while UCD goalkeeper Eoin Keogh dived smartly to block his shot, the rebound fell kindly for the DCU forward and he blasted the ball to the net.
Colm Begley curled over a point from a free to extend DCU’s advantage to three points and the final whistle sounded soon after. It sparked a jubilant reaction in the DCU camp as the 2010 and 2012 champions booked a place in tomorrow’s final while UCD were left crestfallen.
The exciting conclusion didn’t seem apparent in the early stages as DCU bossed the game. Enda Smith was their attacking figurehead as they punched holes at will in the UCD defence. DCU were ahead 0-4 to 0-1 when Smith calmly planted the ball in the net in the 9th minute after Steven O’Brien delivery was gathered by Donal Wrynn before being ferried through to Smith.
By the break DCU were in front by 1-6 to 0-4 but their lead should have been substantially greater. They missed a few point-scoring opportunities while Conor Meredith’s attempt for a second DCU goal was heroically blocked on the line by UCD’s David Byrne in the 26th minute.
UCD were glad to go in five adrift at the break and they surged back into contention as the second-half progressed. Substitutes Matthew O’Hanlon and Ciaran Lenehan made a difference while their key attacking triumvirate of Heslin, Jack McCaffrey and Niall Kelly got on more ball.
DCU were still in front by 1-7 to 0-5 in the 38th minute and saw a goal disallowed when McGraynor was adjudged to have carried the ball over the line. UCD then took a grip on the game with Kelly, Heslin and Brian Fenton pointing to cut the gap to two entering the final quarter.
They kept powering forward with Heslin and Kelly landing superb scores to tie the teams with nine minutes left. Kerry substitute Jack Barry looked to be the hero for UCD when he pointed in the 59th minute but their hopes of reaching the final were dashed in injury-time.
Scorers for DCU: Enda Smith 2-3, Conor McHugh (0-1f), Colm Begley (0-1f), Conor McGraynor, Conor Meredith, Conor Moynagh 0-1 each.
Scorers for UCD: John Heslin 0-5 (0-4f), Niall Kelly 0-2, Brian Fenton, Eoghan Nolan, Ciaran Lenehan, Jack Barry 0-1 each.
DCU
1. Tadgh Lowe (Boyle, Roscommon)
21. Jack Smith (Skerries Harps, Dublin)
3. Conor Boyle (Clontibret, Monaghan)
6. Conor Daly (Padraig Pearses, Roscommon)
19. Conor Moynagh (Drumgoon, Cavan)
10. Dessie Ward (Ballybay, Monaghan)
7. Colm Begley (Laois)
11. Fintan Kelly (Castlerea, Roscommon)
22. Steven O’Brien (Ballina, Tipperary)
23. Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber, Mayo)
18. Conor Meredith (O’Dempsey’s, Laois)
12. Donal Wrynn (Fenagh, Leitrim)
26. Enda Smith (Boyle, Roscommon)
17. Donal Smith (Boyle, Roscommon)
8. Conor McHugh (Na Fianna, Dublin)
Subs:
15. Conor McGraynor (Avondale, Wicklow) for O’Connor (half-time)
5. Rory Connor (Kenagh, Longford) for Kelly (half-time)
20. Niall Murphy (Coolera-Strandhill, Sligo) for McHugh (37)
9. David Mannix (Austin Stacks, Kerry) for Donie Smith (48)
4. Shane Carey (Scotstown, Monaghan) for Meredith (49)
25. Mickey Quinn (Killoe, Longford) for Carey (black card) (52)
UCD
Eoghan Keogh (Laois)
2. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay, Monaghan)
3. Davey Byrne (Naomh Olaf, Dublin)
20. Aran O Muruchu (Wicklow)
6. Paraic Harnan (Moynalvey, Meath)
5. Conor Mulally (Cuala, Dublin)
17. Martin O Cathalain (Dublin)
8. Conor Sheridan (Simonstown Gaels, Meath)
9. John Heslin (St Loman’s, Westmeath)
10. Brian Fenton (Raheny, Dublin)
7. Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf, Dublin)
13. Eoghan Nolan (Shelmaliers, Wexford)
12. Niall Kelly (Athy, Kildare)\
14. Mark Hughes (Emmet Óg Killoe, Longford)
22. Ryan Basquel (Ballyboden St-Enda’s, Dublin)
Subs:
11. Matthew O’Hanlon (St James, Wexford) for Sheridan (24)
18. Ciaran Lenehan (Skryne, Meath) for Nolan (black card) (24)
4. Robert McDaid (Ballyboden St-Enda’s, Dublin) for Mulally (28)
23. Sean O’Dea (Kilteely-Dromkeen, Limerick) for O’Cathalain (half-time)
15. Jack Barry (Na Gaeil, Kerry) for Basquel (44)
Referee: Rory Hickey (Clare)
