Electric Ireland HE GAA Sigerson Cup semi-final

Ulster University 1-13 Maynooth University 0-11

By Colm Shalvey in Inniskeen

Ulster University are through to their first Sigerson Cup Final since 2012 after they held off a stubborn challenge from Maynooth University in Inniskeen. The teams belied the very testing conditions to produce a contest full of endeavour and quality, with no fewer than 18 players getting on the scoresheet, including ten from the winners.

UU could afford to pass up a host of goal chances and still get the job done, with Niall Loughlin’s strike on the 20th minute helping them through. Both sides lined out minus big names: Darragh Kirwan’s absence was felt by Maynooth, but UU will hope to have Glen and Derry stars Conor Glass and Ethan Doherty back for the decider against UCD.

Errigal Ciarán duo Peter Óg McCartan and Darragh Canavan opened the scoring for UU, but a superb point from Ruairí Kinsella got his side off the mark and even though Conor Cush restored the Ulster side’s two-point lead, that was soon wiped out by a strong spell from Maynooth. Kevin and Shane O’Sullivan, Kinsella, Luke Killian and Eoghan Frayne were all on target as Maynooth reeled off five unanswered points, although a brace of Ruairí Canavan frees kept UU within one.

They retook the lead with a clinically-taken goal by Niall Loughlin and they should have added at least one more in the closing stages of the first half, with Ben McCarron hitting the post from close range and Darragh Canavan sending another shot fizzing just past the post. Tom Moran got a point back for Maynooth, but UU led by 1-5 to 0-7 at the break and they started the second half with rapid scores from Oisín McCann and McCarron.

Maynooth dug deep, with a combination of some last-ditch defending and occasional overplaying of opportunities by UU keeping the game in the balance, while Frayne and Shane O’Sullivan responded at the other end to make it a one-point game once more. Darragh Canavan ended a 16-minute scoring drought for UU, but with Colin Walsh and sub James Fitzpatrick replying, Maynooth’s challenge remained alive well into the final quarter.

Ulster University retained their composure, however, to kick five of the last six points. Charlie Diamond, McCann and McCarron all chipped over, before Danny Fullerton and Éamon Brown came off the bench to add insurance scores late on.

Scorers for Ulster University: Niall Loughlin 1-0; Oisín McCann, Ben McCarron (1f), Darragh Canavan, Ruairí Canavan (2f) 0-2 each; Peter Óg McCartan, Charlie Diamond, Conor Cush, Danny Fullerton, Éamon Brown 0-1 each.

Scorers for Maynooth University: Shane O’Sullivan, Eoghan Frayne (1f), Ruairí Kinsella 0-2 each; Tom Moran, James Fitzpatrick, Kevin O’Sullivan, Luke Killian, Colin Walsh 0-1 each.

Ulster University: Ronan McGeehin (Donegal); Ronan Boyle (Monaghan), Charlie Diamond (Derry), Steve Donaghy (Tyrone); Peter Óg McCartan (Tyrone), Ryan Magill (Down), Josh Largo-Ellis (Fermanagh); Oisín McCann (Tyrone), Ben McCarron (Derry); Ciarán Daly (Tyrone), Ronan McCaffrey (Fermanagh), Conor Cush (Tyrone); Darragh Canavan (Tyrone), Niall Loughlin (Derry), Ruairí Canavan (Tyrone). Subs: Danny Fullerton (Tyrone) for Daly (52); Emmett Magee (Armagh) for McCartan (57); Éamon Brown (Down) for R Canavan (59).

Maynooth University: Cian Burke (Kildare); Ryan Burke (Kildare), Thomas McPhillips (Monaghan), Tom Moran (Wicklow); Paddy McDermott (Kildare), Seán Greene (Laois), Daniel Scahill (Westmeath); Luke Killian (Kildare), Colin Walsh (Roscommon); Seán Leech (Westmeath), Ruairí Kinsella (Meath), Kevin O’Sullivan (Westmeath); Shane O’Sullivan (Kildare), Eoghan Frayne (Meath), Keith O’Neill (Offaly). Subs: James Fitzpatrick (Roscommon) for O’Neill, Brian O’Halloran (Meath) for Scahill (both H-T); Aaron Brazil (Offaly) for R Burke (39); Rían Teahan (Kildare) for K O’Sullivan (53); James Kiernan (Longford) for Leech (59); Conor Casey (Cavan).

Referee: Paul Falloon (Down).