DCU 2-12, UUJ 2-11

Holders DCU survived a late scare from Ulster University on home soil last night to earn themselves a spot in the last-four of the Sigerson Cup.

Three points adrift at the half-time, DCU outscored their opponents 2-9 to 1-5 over a 26-minute spell on the resumption to move into the driving seat. A subsequent goal by Tyrone’s Darragh Canavan set-up a nerve-wracking finale, but Paddy Christie’s men did enough to advance.

Thanks to the scoring contributions of Andrew Gilmore and Niall Loughlin, Ulster University brought a 0-6 to 0-3 lead into the break. However, DCU were back into contention when Mark Barry rattled the net on the resumption and it took them just eight minutes to restore parity.

A Niall Loughlin goal moved Ulster University ahead again on 41 minutes before a Red Óg Murphy penalty acted as the catalyst for DCU to push four points in front late on. Canavan capitalised on a defensive mishap to cut the deficit to a minimum, but Ulster University ultimately fell short.

Scorers – DCU: M Barry 1-2 (0-1f); R Finnerty 0-4 (3f); S Walsh 0-3 (1f) R Óg Murphy 1-0 (pen); M Curran, P Hughes, J Hagan 0-1 each. Ulster University: N Laughlin 1-3 (0-2f); A Gilmore 0-4 (3f); D Canavan 1-0; M McKernan, L Nugent, K Gallagher, M Gallagher 0-1 each.

DCU – D O’Hanlon; D Corcoran, S Ryan, M Curran; L Towey, J Morrissey, M Costello; L Coleman, R Óg Murphy; P Hughes, S Walsh, B Carroll; S Tierney, J Bryant, M Barry. Subs: S O’Donnell for Carroll (h-t), R Finnerty for Bryant (h-t), K Lynch Bissett for Barry (40), J Hagan for Tierney (46), S Byrne for Coleman (56).

ULSTER UNIVERSITY – O Lynch; A Clarke, F McElroy, M Gallagher; M McKearney R Boyle, M McKernan; T Galligan, M McGleenan; K Gallagher, D Canavan, R Gormley; L Nugent, N Loughlin, A Gilmore. Subs: D Mulgrew for Gormley (h-t), C Glass for McGleenan (40), J Garrity for K Gallagher (46), S Loughran for Canavan (60).

Ref – C Dourneen (Cavan).