Sigerson Cup Round One

Queens University 1-12 Ulster University 1-11

St Mary's Belfast 0-14 SETU Carlow 0-8

DCU Dóchas Éireann 4-15 ATU Donegal 1-7

UCD 2-11 MTU Cork 0-13

By Cian O'Connell

Queens University defeated Ulster University 1-12 to 1-11 at The Dub. A brilliant burst in the closing stages when Queens reeled off four points without reply proved decisive as Conor Deegan's charges prevailed.

Trailing 1-10 to 1-8 with 12 minutes remaining, Queens delivered with substance and style. Padraig Purcell, Peter McGrane, Diarmuid Baker, and Fintan Canavan nailed critical scores to seize the initiative.

Unsurprisingly it was tight in the opening period with the teams eventually departing deadlocked at the interval, 0-5 each.

Ulster University edged 0-5 to 0-3 ahead as the interval loomed, but fine scores from Diarmuid Baker and Tiernan Bogue ensured parity was restored.

A well organised Queens outfit enjoyed some productive moments early on with Dan Higgins impressing as they led 0-2 to 0-1 by the 10th minute.

Four out of the next five points, though, were registered by Ulster University with Conor Cush (two frees), Ben McCarron, and Aodhan Donaghy contributing.

Queens, though, responded to ensure the issue was delicately poised in front of a healthy crowd at the Belfast venue.

The third quarter wasn't short on drama as the tempo increased with Ulster University introducing Darragh Canavan.

Ryan Magill's goal steered Ulster University 1-7 to 0-6 clear, but Queens' Luke Donnelly narrowed the gap with a 38th minute major.

Donnelly levelled matters with a point, but three of the next four scores were struck by Ulster University, who claimed a 1-10 to 1-8 advantage.

Queens finished with a flourish to secure a morale boosting success.

Scorers for Queens University: Luke Donnelly 1-2 (1f), Dan Higgins 0-3, Diarmuid Baker 0-2, Oran Mallon, Tiernan Bogue, Padraig Purcell, Peter McGrane, and Fintan Canavan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ulster University: Ryan Magill 1-0, Conor Cush 0-3 (3fs), Aodhan Donaghy 0-2, Ryan Jones, Josh Largo Ellis, Odhran Murdock, Caolan McColgan, and Darragh Canavan (f) 0-1 each.

Elsewhere DCU Dóchas Éireann, managed by Paddy Christie, took command early on to defeat ATU Donegal 4-15 to 1-7.

Goals in the first 10 minutes from Conor Corbett and Rob Finnerty ensured DCU Dóchas Éireann were in the ascendancy.

Keelan McGroddy supplied a goal for ATU Donegal, but DCU Dóchas Éireann were never seriously troubled.

Lorcan O'Dell and Finnerty added further goals for DCU.

Daire Cregg's 1-5 haul inspired UCD to a fine 2-11 to 0-13 success over MTU Cork.

John Divilly's team led 1-6 to 0-5 at the break with Cregg and David Garland scoring goals for UCD, who have won the competition 34 times.

St Mary's Belfast, with Conor McConville prominent, produced a dynamic second half display to overcome SETU Carlow 0-14 to 0-8.

At the break St Mary's led 0-7 to 0-6, and the visitors went on to dominate after the restart.