Composed UL open Sigerson Cup campaign with victory over MTU, Cork

THE University of Limerick got their Sigerson Cup campaign off to a winning start, overcoming MTU Cork 0-17 to 1-9 at the Bishopstown college’s campus on Wednesday evening.

The victory sets up a mouth-watering second round clash with defending champions DCU Dochas Eireann.

“I don’t think we were at our best tonight,” admitted UL manager David Power. “But what I liked about it is we were posed a question by MTU Cork at half time and to be fair to the lads, they really responded.

“Coming down here was always going to be very tough. Look, we’re thrilled and we’ll move on to the next game.”

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Power added that he is hopeful that to have more players to pick from for the next round as injuries clear up.

“It’s not going to be 15 that win the Sigerson Cup, we’re going to need a panel of 35.”

The first half was a very even contest. After Frank Irwin opened the scoring, Galtee Gaels’ Zach McCarthy levelled for MTU Cork. McCarthy showed well for possession throughout the game, kicking 0-2 in the first half.

It was tit-for-tat in the opening 25 minutes as the sides shared the first 10 points evenly – Cian McHale, Irwin and Charlie King on target for UL.

However, it was the hosts who had the interval lead. A superb solo run from wing back Brian Thompson saw the Eire Og clubman pulled back and a penalty awarded.

Jack Dillon made no mistake from the spot to give the Cork men the biggest lead of the first half. McHale got one back before the interval to ensure the minimum was between the teams at the short whistle. 1-5 to 0-7.

However, UL were a different team in the second half. Once Sean Morohan kicked them into a 0-11 to 1-7 lead they didn’t look back. Led by the inspirational Frank Irwin, who ended with a personal tally of 0-7, the Limerick college kicked on to secure the meeting away to DCU Dochas Eireann next Tuesday night.

SCORERS: University of Limerick: Frank Irwin 0-7 (1f); Cian McHale 0-4 (1f); Charlie King 0-2 (1 mark); Cathal Ryan, Sean Morohan, Daithi Hogan, and Cathal Keaveny 0-1 each. MTU Cork: Jack Dillon 1-1 (1-0 pen); Zach McCarthy, Michael Quirke, Fintan Fenner (2pt-f) 0-2 each; Luke Shorten, Brian Thompson 0-1 each.

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: Tristan O’Callaghan (Clare); Tommy Walsh (Cork), Thomas Ross (Sligo), Ben Dempsey (Laois); Paddy O’Driscoll (Cork), Sean Morohan (Mayo), Charlie King (Tipperary); Brian McNamara (Clare), Cathal Ryan (Kerry); Conal Dawson (Mayo), Jack McCabe (Galway), Hugh O’Loughlin (Mayo); Jack Melvin (Mayo), Cian McHale (Mayo), Frank Irwin (Mayo). Subs: Daithi Hogan (Tipperary) for Jack Melvin (39 mins); Cathal Keavney (Mayo) for Cathal Ryan (39 mins); Cathal Corless (Mayo) for Conal Dawson (53 mins); Cillian Campbell (Roscommon) for Ben Dempsey (56 mins); Killian Butler (Tipperary) for Cian McHale (59 mins).

MTU CORK (Cork unless stated): Josh Woods; Sam Copps, Sean Brady, Darragh King; Kevin Graham, Cormac Hyland, Brian Thompson; Ben Comerford (Tipperary), Fintan Fenner; Keith O’Driscoll, Jack Dillon, Sean Browne; Michael Quirke, Luke Shorten, Zach McCarthy (Galtee Gaels, Limerick). Subs: Padraig Healy for Keith O’Driscoll (41 mins); Colm Gillespie for Michael Quirke (46 mins); Aaron O’Sullivan for Darragh King (46 mins); Michael Maguire for Zach McCarthy (54 mins); Trevor Kiely for Sean Browne (59 mins).

REFEREE: Derek O’Mahony (Tipperary).