University of Limerick come up short in Collingwood Cup final glory bid at Jackman Park

THE University of Limerick fell at the final hurdle in their bid to annex a second Irish Universities Football Union (IUFU) Collingwood Cup title.  Maynooth, thanks to second half goals from Taylor McCarthy and Taylor Mooney, retained their title on a 2-0 scoreline in the decider played at Jackman Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Managed by the long-serving Ian O’Sullivan and head coach, Mike McCarthy, UL would finish the game with nine men, as their frustration grew. Late dismissals for Leon Daly and Dean Hegarty concluded a miserable afternoon for the competition hosts.

In what was the 105th instalment of one of the most celebrated competitions in Irish football, UL were looking to add to the crown won in 2023.

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Maynooth, have now bagged a third ever crown, having trumped University of Galway 12 months ago, 1-0, in Cork.

Alex Sheerin was certainly the danger coming into this contest, while ex-Treaty player Dean O’Shea skippered the Kildare outfit from left wing-back. O’Shea would be named player of the tournament and Sheerin claimed the Golden Boot, having netted four goals in victories over DCD and UCC.

All other games in the competition took place on the 4G surface at Maguires Fields on the University campus, but this clash, went to Jackman Park, as planned.

In a cagey but intense opening half, UL had the best chance which came from Pike Rovers’ Leon Daly on the counter. His chipped effort was expertly clawed away by Andrew Stuart Traynor in the Maynooth goal.

There was no joy for Sheerin at the other end, whose expert leap and header saw the ball creep wide, following a fine delivery from Finn Cowper Grey.

The sides headed for the dressing rooms deadlocked.

The opener arrived on 62 minutes. UL failing to clear, allowing Jonathan Kehir to head goalward, which was steered home by McCarthy, who is on-loan with Longford Town this season.

The second arrived on 82 minutes, with UL chasing an equaliser. They took down Sheerin who was having a huge influence. Up-stepped Taylor Mooney to curl home the insurance goal, with an expert free-kick from 25-yards.

There was time for both Daly and sub Hegarty to receive their marching orders, as the Limerick outfit tried in vein to hunt a miraculous comeback.

Daly dismissed for an off-the-ball incident, while Hegarty received a second yellow card in just a few short minutes.

University of Limerick: Josh Coady; Conor Carew, Tom Kelly (C), Alex Cuddy, Joey Rushe; Alex Cuddy, Fintan O’Kelly, Isaac O’Sullivan; David Holden, Matt Jones; Leon Daly. Subs: Luke Ryan for Rushe (72); Dean Hegarty for O’Sullivan, Jack Ahern for O’Kelly (both 77).

Maynooth University: Andrew Stuart-Trainor; Jonathan Kehir, Fellum Dikcius, Ozaze Irkue; Finn Cowper Gray, Taylor McCarthy, Harry O’Connor, Taylor Mooney, Dean O’Shea (C); Darragh Murtagh, Alex Sheerin. Subs: William Smith for Sheerin (88); Matthew McCarrick for Mooney (89).

Referee: Mark Kennedy