DCU 0-18 UCD 1-9
UCD’s O’Byrne Cup campaign came to an end at Belfield on Sunday when they suffered a six-point defeat to college rivals DCU in their final group game.
Following their victory over All-Ireland champions Dublin last Wednesday evening, UCD were in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals – and a 24th-minute goal from corner-forward Eoin Lowry helped them to develop a 1-5 to 0-7 interval advantage.
However, Niall Moyna’s DCU were eager to make amends for previous defeats in the competition to Dublin and Wexford, and thanks to strong second-half showings from Niall Murphy, Shane Carthy and Mayo star Patrick Durcan, they secured a morale-boosting victory. And early season bragging rights ahead of the Sigerson Cup.
DCU: A Farrelly; D Ward, D O’Neill, S Lavin; B Kerr, J Mealiff (0-2), P Durcan (0-1); S O’Brien, S Carthy (0-2, 0-1f); C Mulligan (0-1), E Smith (0-1), M Plunkett (0-2); R Burns (0-2), N Murphy (0-6, 0-4f), E O’Connor. Subs: E Smith for Ward (24); T Galligan for O’Brien (25); D Mannix (0-1) for O’Connor (h-t); T Lahiff for Durcan (55); C Boylan for O’Neill (60); E Smyth for Murphy; B Cawley for Kerr (both 69).
UCD: C Honan; A Hassett, M Fitzsimons, N McInerney; S O’Dea, S Coen, P Fagan; BD O’Sullivan (0-2), B O’Seanachain; A McDonnell (0-1), C Basquel, L Kelly; T Hayes, R Cleary, E Lowry (1-2, 0-2f). Subs: R McDaid for Fitzsimons (18); L Casey for O’Sullivan (31, BC); S Mullooly for O’Dea; D Maguire for McInerney; L Moran (0-2, 1f) for McDonnell; G Farrell for Lowry; E Wallace (0-1) for Hayes (all h-t); S Meade for Farrell (50, BC); C Nolan (0-1) for Coen (55).
Referee: S Murphy (Louth).