NUI Galway 1-10 Ulster University 2-5
Despite seeing their game against Ulster University halted before time had fully elapsed last night, NUI Galway progressed to face Queen’s University in the second round of the Sigerson Cup.
There was 58 minutes gone on the clock when substitute Sean Mulkerrins suffered a worrying-looking knee injury. With an ambulance taking more than half an hour to arrive, it was agreed amongst the teams that NUIG would be awarded a two-point victory.
Given the tight schedule of the competition – and the fact this wasn’t a straight knockout affair – this was perhaps a sensible solution for both parties.
Thanks to goals from inside forwards Andrew Gilmore and Niall Loughlin, Ulster led 2-4 to 0-5 at the interval.
Yet after a resurgent NUIG had reduced the deficit to the bare minimum in the final-quarter, the impressive Sean Kelly edged them in front for the first time with a 53rd-minute goal.
While it is difficult to determine how the game might have panned out if the remaining minutes had been played, a strong second half display does bode well for the Galway outfit heading into a tough assignment against Queen’s.
Scorers – NUI Galway: T Culhane 0-4 (4f), M Tierney 0-3 (3f), S Kelly 1-0, T Conroy, C Heneghan, C Sweeney 0-1 each. Ulster University: A Gilmore 1-2 (0-1f), N Loughlin 1-0, R Gormley, K Gallagher, S Loughran 0-1.
NUI Galway: C Carroll; C Murray, N Mulcahy, G Burke; R Egan, E Kelly, C Monaghan; M Tierney, C Marren; P Kelly, T Conroy, N Mullen; C Heneghan, T Culhane, T Gill. Subs: S Kelly for Marren (23), C Sweeney for Gill (32), F McDonagh for Mullen (37), S Mulkerrins for Monaghan (43).
Ulster Universtity: O Lynch; R Boyle, F McElroy, A Clarke; M Gallagher, M McKernan, R Jones; T Galligan, R Gormley; P McLarnon, M McKearney, K Gallagher; S Loughran, N Loughlin, A Gilmore. Subs: D McElhill for Jones (37), L Nugent for Loughran (44), D Mulgrew for Gormley (54).
Referee: P Maguire (Longford).