Luke Donnelly impressed for Queens University against DCU Dóchas Éireann last week. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Round 2A
Tuesday January 16
Queens University v TUS Midlands, Páirc Esler, 7pm
UCD v Ulster University, Belfield, 7pm
Maynooth University v UL, Maynooth University, 8pm
Wednesday January 17
St Mary's v TU Dublin, Darver, 5.30pm
Following encouraging opening round victories, a quarter-final berth is the prize for the winners of these four matches.
The teams that lose will remain in the competition facing the victors of Wednesday's Round 2B encounters.
St Mary's, prompted by a splendid Fergal O'Brien score, edged out ATU Sligo, and now face TU Dublin in Belfast.
TU Dublin produced a very impressive performance to overcome a highly regarded University of Galway outfit.
Jack Flynn and Killian McGinnis are key peformers for TU Dublin.
Luke Donnelly's attacking craft was evident last week for Queens University, who meet TUS Midlands.
Luke Marren and Jack Torpey are key players for TUS Midlands, who defeated SETU Carlow last week.
Belfield provides the backdrop for an attractive clash between UCD and Ulster University.
UCD, with David Garland, Diarmuid Moriarty, Aaron Lynch, and Daire Cregg, carrying a potent threat, will also be aware of Ulster University's potential.
The triumph over UCC illustrated Ulster University's ability with Conor Cush, Niall Loughlin, and the Canavan brothers effective.
Ruairí Kinsella, Kevin O'Sullivan, and Keith O'Neill were in good scoring form for Maynooth against MTU Cork.
UL, beaten finalists in 2023, will be looking to Conor Flaherty, Ciaran Downes, and Frank Irwin for inspiration.
Wednesday January 17
Round 2B
SETU Carlow v DCU Dóchas Éireann, SETU Carlow, 7pm
UCC v ATU Galway, Mardyke, 7pm
ATU Sligo v University of Galway, 7pm, Live on Higher Education GAA YouTube
MTU Cork v ATU Donegal, Abbottstown, 7.45pm
It is knockout Sigerson Cup football for the eight teams in Round 2B.
SETU Carlow versus DCU Dóchas Éireann is also a relegation final, so that fixture carries significant implications.
DCU Dóchas Éireann enjoyed some good moments against Queens with Mathew Costello and Conor Corbett influential.
Colm Hulton and Oisín McGraynor are promising players for SETU Carlow.
Despite a strong start, UCC were eventually defeated by Ulster University. Tipperary attacker Seánie O'Connor struck 1-3 for Billy Morgan's charges in that game.
ATU Galway couldn't deal with UCD in the first round, will hope Adam McDermott and Eoin Mannion can cause UCC some problems Leeside.
Joseph Keaney and Daire O'Boyle are among the senior inter-county players in ATU Sligo's panel.
ATU Sligo face University of Galway, who feature Canice Mulligan, Ryan O'Donoghue, Cathal Sweeney, and Cillian Ó Curraoin.
The concession of three early goals hurt MTU Cork last week, but they showed plenty of spirit throughout with Mark Casey and Tommy Walsh prominent.
ATU Donegal were soundly beaten by UL, but Blake McGarvey and Bobby McGilligan clipped some nice scores.