TU Dublin hold off strong University of Limerick challenge to make Sigerson Cup semi-finals
TU Dublin 2-15 University of Limerick 2-11
Daire Walsh
Seán Jones and Jack Lundy found the net at Grangegorman as TU Dublin held off a strong challenge from University of Limerick to book their spot in the semi-finals of the Sigerson Cup.
While UL broke the deadlock with a seventh-minute score from Cian McHale during a tentative start to the action, TU Dublin subsequently burst into life with five points on the bounce from Jones, Jordan Morris, Danny McCartan (two) and centre-forward Lundy.
Yet after Cian O’Grady, Conal Dawson and McHale split the uprights in quick succession, a clinically struck goal by Cork’s Sean McDonnell on 25 minutes propelled the Munster college back into the lead.
O’Grady proceeded to trade scores with opposition attacker Conor Fee, before three points in as many minutes from Morris, Jones and Dublin senior star Colm Basquel (free) offered TU Dublin a slender interval cushion of 0-9 to 1-5.
Although UL restored parity through Daniel Walsh and McHale either side of Basquel’s second on the resumption, the sin-binning of Walsh left the visitors hamstrung. In the direct aftermath of his temporary absence, TU Dublin created daylight with an excellent Jones goal on 35 minutes.
Despite Mayo due Frank Irwin and McHale finding the range for UL, the hosts were destined for the last-four when Jones and Joe Prendergast points were supplemented by a successful Lundy penalty in the 52nd minute.
McDonnell’s second major of the game offered UL fresh impetus in the closing stages of the contest, but late points from Prendergast and Morris helped to ensure TU Dublin’s progression.
Scorers – TU Dublin: S Jones 1-3, J Lundy 1-1 (1-0 pen), J Morris 0-3, C Basquel 0-2 (2f), J Prendergast, D McCartan 0-2 each, S Hanifin, C Fee 0-1 each. University of Limerick: S McDonnell 2-0, C McHale 0-4 (3f), C O’Grady 0-2, F Irwin 0-1 (‘45’), C Ryan, D Walsh, C Dawson, J Fallon 0-1 each.
TU Dublin: J Rodgers; C Reilly, M Nolan, N Carolan; D Fee, C McKeogh, J Prendergast; C McBride, S Hanifin; C Basquel, J Lundy, D McCartan; J Morris, C Fee, S Jones. Subs: S Reynolds for D Fee (44), D Rooney for C Fee (48), O Brooks for McCartan (56), D Lovett for Lundy (61).
University of Limerick: B Hogan; P O’Driscoll, C Keogh, F Kelly; E Clifford, D Cashman, D Walsh; T O’Donnell, D O’Hagan; C Dawson, F Irwin, D Heneghan; C McHale, S McDonnell, C O’Grady. Subs: P White for Dawson (45), J Fallon for O’Donnell, C Ryan for O’Hagan (both 47), J McCabe for Clifford (55), C O’Sullivan for Heneghan (63).
Referee: A Coyne (Westmeath).