UL off to impressive winning start in Sigerson Cup

LAST year's finalists, University of Limerick, opened their Sigerson Cup campaign with an impressive 3-12 to 0-8 victory over ATU Donegal at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan on Wednesday evening.

A hat-trick of goals from Daniel Walsh, Ciaran Downes, and Gearoid Hassett proved decisive as Declan Brouder's team dominated this opening round fixture.

By halftime, UL were leading 1-8 to 0-3, showcasing an impressive performance in the second quarter and extending their lead as the match progressed.

UL, beaten by UCC in last year's Sigerson final, return to action in the Sigerson Cup on Tuesday next, January 16 for a second round meeting with Maynooth University at Maynooth. Throw-in 7pm.

Daniel Walsh struck for ULs opening goal in the 20th minute which helped the winners establish their eight-point interval lead.

A run of 1-3 without reply after the restart from UL ended any lingering hopes the Donegal students might have had of staging a comeback.

Four Limerick players are included in the UL Sigerson Cup squad this year, John Hayes (St Kieran's) who was part of their squad that lost to UCC in the 2023 final as well as Darragh Murray (Monaleen, Eliah Riordan (Fr Casey's), who featured against ATU Donegal, and Cormac Woulfe (St Senan's).

University of Limerick: Conor Flaherty (Galway); Caelim Keogh (Roscommon), Colm Moriarty (Kerry), Mark Dempsey (Kildare); Eliah O’Riordan (Fr Casey's, Limerick), Cian Glennon (Roscommon), Daniel Walsh (Clare) (1-0); Cathal Ryan (Kerry) (0-1), Brian McNamara (Clare); Darragh Heneghan (Roscommon) (0-2), Paul Keaney (Leitrim) (0-2), Frank Irwin (Mayo) (0-2); Paul Walsh (Kerry) (0-1), Ciaran Downes (Clare) (1-3), Cian McHale (Mayo). Subs: Gearoid Hassett (Kerry) (1-0) for Keaney; Paddy O’Driscoll (Cork) for D Walsh; Cian O’Grady (Kerry) (0-1) for McHale; Sean McDonnell (Cork) for Downes.

ATU Donegal: Nevin O'Donnell (Shannon Gaels, Co Leitrim); Jake Kelly (Glenswilly), Dylan Dorrian (Milford), Paddy Teevan, (Ballyhaise, Co Cavan); Kyle Murray (Aodh Ruadh), Oisin Caulfield (Na Rossa), Dylan Doogan (St Eunan’s); Rory O’Donnell (Milford, 0-1), Jack Gallagher (Glenswilly, 0-1); Kealan Dunleavy (Glenswilly), Luke McGlynn (Glenfin), Ryan O’Donnell (Kilcar); Jack McSharry (Killybegs, 0-1), Blake McGarvey (Cloughaneely, 0-2), Cian McEntee (Gaoth Dobhair 0-1). Subs: Allen Palosa (Downings) for Murray; B McGettigan (Termon, 0-2) for Ryan O’Donnell; Anthony Doherty (Carndonagh) for Doogan.

Referee: James Molloy (Galway)