University of Limerick claim historic first ever Sigerson Cup final success

THE University of Limerick have claimed the Sigerson Cup Higher Education Gaelic football title for the first time in their histoyr following a deserved 0-17 to 1-11 victory over UCC at Croke Park on Wednesday night.

The sides had been level 0-9 to 1-6 at half-time at GAA headquarters.

UL had lost Sigerson Cup deciders in both 2022 and again in 2023 when the Castletroy-based side suffered a narrow defeat to UCC.

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UL are captained by Clare's Brian McNamara - the only current player in their group who featured in the narrow 2023 final loss.

UL will be hoping to complete a Sigerson Cup-Fitzgibbon Cup double this Friday when they face local rivals Mary Immaculate College in the hurling decider back at Croke Park, 7.35pm, live on TG4.

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SCORERS: UL: Cian McHale 0-5 (0-2 frees), Ciarán Collins, Daithí Hogan, Cathal Ryan, Cathal Brosnan 0-2 each, Sean Morahan, Brian McNamara, Frank Irwin, Conal Dawson 0-1 each. UCC: Ciarán Santry 1-1, Conor Daly 0-3 (0-2 frees), Cormac Dillon 0-2 (0-1 free), Michael McSweeney, Tom Cunningham, Austin Murphy ('45), Olan Corcoran, Ruairí Murphy 0-1 each.

UNIVERSITY of LIMERICK: Tristan O'Callaghan (St Breckan's, Clare); Tommy Walsh (Kanturk, Cork), Thomas Ross (Curry, Sligo), Ben Dempsey (Portlaoise, Laois); Paddy O'Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers, Cork), Seán Morahan (Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo), Charlie King (Ballina, Tipperary); Brian McNamara (Cooraclare, Clare), Ciaran Collins (Rathmore, Kerry); Conal Dawson (Westport, Mayo), Jack McCabe (Corofin, Galway), Cathal Ryan (Rathmore, Kerry); Cathal Brosnan (Currow, Kerry), Cian McHale (Moy Davitts, Mayo), Frank Irwin (Ballina Stephenites, Mayo). Subs: Thomas O'Donnell (Castlegregory, Kerry) for Irwin, Daithí Hogan (St Patrick's, Tipperary) for McCabe (both 43 mins), Hugh O'Loughlin (Kilmaine, Mayo) for Brosnan (46 mins), Jack Melvin (Davitts, Mayo) for Dempsey (56 mins), Cillian Campbell (St Barry's, Roscommon) for Collins 60 +4 mins).

UCC (Cork unless stated): Austin Murphy (Renard, Kerry); Dan Peet (Clonakilty), Jacob O'Driscoll (Valley Rovers), Darragh O'Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks, Kerry); Liam Evans (Keel, Kerry), Colin Molloy (Nemo Rangers), Chris Kenneally (Clonakilty); Michael McSweeney (Knocknagree), Tom Cunningham (Kilshannig); Ruairí Murphy (Listry, Kerry), Emmet Daly (Valentia, Kerry), James Horgan (Firies, Kerry); Cormac Dillon (Duagh, Kerry), Conor Daly (Clonakilty), Ciaran Santry (Carbery Rangers). Subs: Donncha Desmond (Ballincollig) for Horgan (44mins), Tomás O'Mahony (Castlehaven) for Kenneally (46 mins), Olan Corcoran (St Mary's) for E Daly (52 mins), David Buckley (Douglas) for C Daly (55 mins), Gary Holland (Bishopstown) for McSweeney (58 mins).

REFEREE: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).