First round NUI Galway 1-10 Ulster University 2-5
Westerners advance in unusual circumstances
Sides agree on result after worrying injury close to full-time
FROM DAIRE WALSH AT WHITEHALL COLMCILLE GAA GROUNDS
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 Sean Mulkerrins suffered a worrying-looking knee injury. With an ambulance taking more than half-an-hour to arrive on the scene, 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 knock-out affair – this was perhaps a sensible solution for both parties.
While there were six Tyrone natives in their starting line-up, it was Down duo Seamus Loughran and Andrew Gilmore who got the ball rolling for Ulster University with early points.
Team captain Matthew Tierney and Mayo attacker Conroy responded at the other end for NUIG, before the lively Gilmore rattled the net in clinical style at the end of a superb run in the 10th-minute.
The northerners largely dominated possession during the first-quarter, but some wasteful shooting in front of goal was keeping their opponents in touch.
In fact, a routine free from Tomo Culhane ensured NUIG were just two points adrift (1-2 to 0-3) at the first-half water break.
Nevertheless, there was no reason for Ulster University to panic and when full-forward Niall Loughlin was picked out in front of goal on 22 minutes, he made no mistake with a clinical finish past the helpless Carroll.
It was now the turn of NUIG to spurn some promising attacking opportunities, which helped to take the pressure off the Jordanstown defence.
Although Cathal Heneghan and Culhane were on target in the latter stages of the opening half for the westerners, Ruairi Gormley and Karl Gallagher also raised white flags to propel Ulster University towards a 2-4 to 0-5 interval lead.
Gormley split the posts in majestic fashion from a right-hand angle and wing-forward Gallagher flicked over after a Loughlin free had dropped short.
This left Ulster University in a strong position and raised the tantalising possibility of an all-Ulster affair in the next phase of the competition.
NUIG had introduced All Star nominee Sean Kelly in advance of the break, however, and his energetic presence made a difference to their cause. They were also able to call upon the services of Fionn McDonagh, who has featured prominently for Mayo in recent years.
By the third-quarter mark, Culhane (a brace), Tierney and substitute Cathal Sweeney had all found the range to bring the gap back down to two. Gilmore got Ulster University’s solo score in this juncture – a simple free on 38 minutes to bring his personal tally up to 1-2.
Although they remained in the ascendancy, there was a sense that momentum was now with NUIG and so it proved when the play resumed after the second-half water break.
Another Tierney free left the bare minimum between the sides and when Kelly was released on goal with seven minutes of normal time remaining, he ruthlessly fired home to edge NUIG in front for the very first time.
Although 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 difficult assignment against Queen’s.
Because the result will go down as a two-point defeat for them, Ulster University – due to the luck of the draw – have received a bye into the third round and won’t be back in action until Tuesday, January 25.
MATCH STATS
NUI Galway: C Carroll; C Murray, N Mulcahy, G Burke; R Egan, E Kelly, C Monaghan; M Tierney (0-3, 3f), C Marren; P Kelly, T Conroy (0-1), N Mullen; C Heneghan (0-1), T Culhane (0-4, 4f), T Gill.
Subs: S Kelly (1-0) for Marren (23), C Sweeney (0-1) for Gill (32), F McDonagh for Mullen (37), S Mulkerrins for Monaghan (43), C Donoghue for Mulkerrins (58).
Ulster University: O Lynch; R Boyle, F McElroy, A Clarke; M Gallagher, M McKernan, R Jones; T Galligan, R Gormley (0-1); P McLarnon, M McKearney, K Gallagher (0-1); S Loughran (0-1), N Loughlin (1-0), A Gilmore (1-2, 0-1f).
Subs: D McElhill for Jones (37), Liam Nugent for Loughran (44), David Mulgrew for Gormley (54).
Referee: P Maguire (Longford).