DIT 0-9 NUIG 0-7
FAVOURITES DIT WERE given a Sigerson Cup fright in Dangan today, but the star-studded visitors eventually overcame NUIG’s gritty resistance.
A furious wind impacted on a well contested game in which both teams played better against the elements.
Despite being backed by the strong breeze NUIG only managed to kick two first half points and trailed 0-5 to 0-2 at the interval.
With Mayo midfielder Aidan O’Shea a dominant force DIT were on top early on as Mark Collins and Bernard Allen provided glimpses of their ability up front. After the restart DIT lost their way a little and only led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the three quarter mark with Darren O’Sullivan’s introduction adding an extra drop of quality.
But NUIG responded with three points on the spin from Ciaran McDonald, Shane Nally, and Kevin Murtagh (free).
It was delicately poised, but DIT regained the initiative as David Givney and Jason Doherty landed the critical late blows. DIT face NUI Maynooth in the next round.
Scorers for DIT: Jason Doherty (0-3, 1f), Mark Collins (0-2), Bernard Allen (0-2, 1f), Darren O’Sullivan (0-1), David Givney (0-1).
Scorers for NUIG: Kieran Murtagh (0-2, 2fs), Cathal Freeman (0-1), Eoin Sheehy (0-1), Robbie Kiely (0-1) Ciaran McDonald (0-1), S Nally (0-1, f)
DIT: Robert Lambert (Wicklow); Kevin O’Brien (Dublin), Bryan Menton (Meath), Gary O’Hare (Louth); Alan Nestor (Meath), Nicky Devereaux (Dublin), Ross Sheridan (Cavan); Aidan O’Shea (Mayo), David Givney (Cavan); Martin Reilly (Cavan), Mark Collins (Cork), Ciaran Reddin (Dublin); Bernard Allen (Offaly), Tomas O’Connor (Kildare), Jason Doherty (Mayo). Subs: Colin Walsh (Monaghan) for Sheridan (19 mins), Sean George (Dublin) for Nestor (35 mins), Darren O’Sullivan (Kerry) for Reilly (40 mins), Johnny McGrath (Wicklow) for Reddin (52 mins), Shane O’Connor (Dublin) for Allen (60 mins).
NUIG: Donal O’Sullivan (Limerick); Gary Sweeney (Galway), Joss Moore (Galway), Kealan Crowe (Mayo); Ciaran McDonald (Tipperary), Robbie Kiely (Tipperary), Eoin Troy (Clare); Shane Moran (Leitrim), Einne O’hEochaidh (Galway); Shane Nally (Mayo), Fiachra O’Deasmunaigh (Cork), Cathal Freeman (Mayo); Ian Galvin (Kerry), Kieran Murtagh (Roscommon), Eoin Sheehy (Roscommon). Subs: David Gavin (Mayo) for Moran (31 mins), Cathal Brennan (Sligo) for Galvin (31 mins), John Egan (Westmeath) for Sheehy (42 mins), Conor O’Halloran (Galway) for Troy (52 mins).
Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo).
