Goals prove key as University of Limerick see off University of Galway in Sigerson Cup

GOALS proved to be the difference in UL on Tuesday evening as University of Limerick defeated defeated University of Galway 3-8 to 0-14 in the third round of the Sigerson Cup. 

Early on in the first half, it was a cagey affair with both sides bringing huge numbers behind the ball. The Galway college looked to be in control after the first quarter when they led 0-4 to 0-1. Matthew Thompson, Cian Hernon and Mayo footballer Ryan O'Donoghue had their side in the asscendency. 

UL regrouped and captain Darragh Cashman sent over an inspirational effort under pressure. On 27 minutes, the home side committed bodies forwards and it looked as if they were in for a goal only for the University of Galway goalkeeper James Egan to pull off a save. UL's Cian McHale stayed alert and McHale finished the rebound into the back of the net. 

Galway footballer Cian Hernon drove forward and levelled matters right before the break. The sides were deadlocked 1-2 to 0-5 at the interval. 

After half-time, the Galway college started the second half brightly scoring four points in-a-row through Ryan O'Donoghue, Cillian O Curraoin, Liam O’ Conghaile and Eoin Colleran. 

Thomas O'Donnell and Eoin Colleran traded scores as UL trailed 1-4 to 0-10 on 43 minutes. 

UL's Thomas O'Donnell then drove a free into the edge of the square and University of Galway corner back John McMonagle picked the ball off the ground. Referee Chris Maguire awarded a penalty and Cian O'Grady made no mistake from the penalty spot. The sides were now deadlocked 2-4 to 0-10. On 50 minutes, McHale added a free to put his side into the lead for the first time.

Cillian O Curraoin responded through a placed ball to level the game for the third time. 

O'Grady got his second goal of the evening on 53 minutes when the Kerry attacker took on his marker and he drilled his shot low into the back of the net. McHale followed that up with a free from close range and the Castletroy college were now 3-6 to 0-11 ahead. University of Galway sent a long ball into the edge of the square and James McLaughlin's punched effort just went over the bar. 

Darragh Cashman and Padraig White kept the scoreboard ticking for the victors in injury time. O'Curraoin and Darragh Lowry made it a one score in injury time but the Galway outfit weren't able to force the goal they desperately needed.

In the end, Declan Brouder's charges hung on for a three point victory and have now booked their place into the Sigerson Cup quarter-finals.

Scorers for University of Limerick: Cian McHale 1-3 (0-2 frees); Cian O’Grady 2-0 (1-0 pen); Darragh Cashman and Thomas O’Donnell 0-2 each, Padraig White 0-1.

Scorers for University of Galway: Cillian O Curraoin (0-3, 0-2 frees), Ryan O'Donoghue (0-2, 0-1 free), Matthew Thompson (0-2,0-1 free), Eoin Colleran and Liam O Conghaile 0-2 each, Cian Hernon, Darragh Lowry and James McLoughlin 0-1 each.

UL: Billy Hogan (Longwood, Meath); Paddy O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers, Cork), Cormac Woulfe (St. Senan’s, Limerick), Fenton Kelly (Davitts, Mayo); Eoin Clifford (Laune Rangers, Kerry), Darragh Cashman (Capt) (Millstreet, Cork), Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane, Clare); Thomas O’Donnell (Castlegregory, Kerry), Darragh O’Hagan (Mungret St. Paul’s, Limerick); Conal Dawson (Westport, Mayo), Jack McCabe (Corofin, Galway) , Darragh Heneghan (Michael Glavey’s, Roscommon); Cian McHale (Moy Davitts, Mayo), Sean McDonnell (Mallow, Cork), Cian O’Grady (Castlegregory, Kerry).

Subs: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare, Clare) for McCabe (39); Padraig White (John Mitchell’s, Kerry) for Dawson (47); Caelim Keogh (Padraig Pearse’s, Roscommon) for O’Hagan (52); Charlie O’Sullivan (Adrigole, Cork) for O’Donnell (58).

UG (Galway unless stated): James Egan (Galway); John McMonagle (Mayo), Canice Mulligan (Sligo), Colin Murray (Galway); Ruaidhri Fallon (Roscommon), Cian Hernon (Galway), Jack O’Neill (Galway); Sean Hansberry (Galway), James McLoughlin (Galway); Michael Moughan (Galway), Matthew Thompson (Galway), Brian Cogger (Galway); Liam O Conghaile (Galway), Cillian O Curraoin (Galway), Ryan O’Donoghue (Mayo).

Subs: Eoin Colleran (Roscommon) for Thompson (35); Darragh Lowry (Westmeath) for Hernon (37); Tom O’Flaherty (Mayo) for O’Neill (50); Shane McGrath (Galway) for Hansberry (52).

Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare)