University of Galway 2-11 UCD 1-6

Daire Walsh

Tomo Culhane and Cathal Sweeney bagged goals in either half at Belfield as defending champions University of Galway progressed to the Sigerson Cup quarter-finals with a convincing triumph over UCD.

Despite UCD edging into an early lead through a pointed mark by Monaghan attacker David Garland, University of Galway laid down a marker when Culhane rattled the net off a fast-paced move in the fourth-minute.

Although Garland subsequently fired over a close-range free, Matthew Tierney kicked a brace of superb points from play to establish a three-point cushion for University of Galway.

UCD dramatically restored parity when the reliable Garland grabbed a close-range goal on 22 minutes, only for their western counterparts to prosper in a strong finish to the opening period. Either side of Sweeney splitting the posts on the run, Tierney knocked over frees off his trusty left boot to give the title holders a 1-5 to 1-2 interval buffer.

While UCD narrowed the gap on the resumption with a pointed Garland free, Paul Kelly and Tierney stretched University of Galway four clear with similar strikes at the opposite end.

To their credit, UCD (who are still alive in this year’s competition) kept themselves in contention as the action developed and the game remained in the melting pot until Sweeney broke through for a clinical 57th-minute goal.

This effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt, but late points from Donal Hunt and Tierney ensured University of Galway ended the contest in fine style.

Scorers – University Of Galway: M Tierney 0-7 (4f), C Sweeney 1-1, T Culhane 1-0, M McInerney (mark), P Kelly (f), D Hunt 0-1 each. UCD: D Garland 1-5 (0-4f, 0-1 mark), D Cregg 0-1.

University of Galway: C Carroll; C Dunleavy, C Murray, E Lyons; C Monaghan, S O’Flynn, R Egan; P Kelly; G Davoren; P O’Donnell, M Tierney, C Sweeney; G Burke, E Kelly, T Culhane. Subs: M McInerney for Culhane (h-t), D Flaherty for Monaghan (40), D Heneghan for O’Donnell (42), D Hunt for Burke (57), J McLoughlin for Davoren (62).

UCD: C Keane; L Smith, J Moran, M Stone; K Kennedy, P O’Keane, B Cox; R Buckley, S Forker; P Ruttledge, F Clifford, C Feely; J Lynam, B O’Carroll, D Garland. Subs: L Breathnach for Clifford (36), D McElearney for Feely (43), C Feeney for Forker (46), D Cregg for Lynam (50), T Browne for Moran (52).

Referee: A Coyne (Westmeath).