UL footballers aiming for Sigerson glory

UL'S SIGERSON Cup side are hoping to bring the prestigious title back to Limerick for just the third time as they go into battle against UCC at SETU Waterford’s campus tonight, Wednesday, February 15.

Managed by Newcastle West’s Declan Brouder, UL have pulled off a couple of shocks on the way to the final, including an opening round victory against their opponents tonight, UCC.

The Limerick college also got to the 2022 Sigerson Cup final, losing by three points in a tight game against NUIG. UL have beaten UCC, lost to TU Dublin, won against SETU Carlow, as well as beating the University of Galway in the quarter-final.

They expected a tough battle against DCU in Carlow last time out but pulled off an impressive 3-12 to 0-12 win thanks to goals from Ciarán Downes, Aaron Griffin and Eoghan McLaughlin.

Brouder’s charges began the competition with a six-point win over UCC. It was all the more impressive as they did so without Galway All-Star from 2022 Jack Glynn and Mayo’s McLaughlin. Goals from Louth’s Paul Matthews and Kerry’s Paul Walsh were the difference at a wet Mardyke in Cork.

UL’s only blemish in the competition thus far was a home defeat to TU Dublin on penalties. The Limerick college got back on track with a straightforward win over SETU Carlow.

That set up a repeat of the 2022 decider in the quarter-final with UL gaining a bit of revenge with an impressive 1-15 to 2-10 extra-time win in Dangan. A superb second half-showing got UL back into the game and a Walsh goal looked to have won it only for UG to come back.

Two Emmet McMahon frees and a fisted effort from Downes booked UL’s spot in the semi-final against DCU, which ended up a straightforward victory. The UL squad for the 2023 Sigerson Cup is as follows:

Ronan McElligott (Mungret St. Pauls, Limerick)

Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey, Clare)

Cian Glennon (St Faithleachs, Roscommon)

Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane, Clare)

Mark Lenehan (Buttavent, Cork)

Paul Keaney (St Mary’s Kiltoghert, Leitrim)

Fenton Kelly (Davitts, Mayo)

Conor Flaherty (Claregalway, Galway)

Ronan Reilly (Parke Keelogues Crimlin, Mayo)

Kieran Costello (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary)

Frank Irwin (Ballina Stephanites, Mayo)

Jack O’ Brien (Durrow, Offaly)

Sean McDonnell (Mallow, Cork)

Donal Casey (Leitrim Gaels, Leitrim)

Gearoid Hassett (Laune Rangers, Kerry)

Oisin Looney (Milltown Malbay, Clare)

Colm Moriarty (Annascaul, Kerry)

Jack Fallon (Mayo Gaels, Mayo)

Zach Cullen (Avondale, Wicklow)

Elliot Connolly (O’Donovan Rossa, Cork)

Mark Looney (Templenoe, Kerry)

Sean O’ Leary (Kilcummin, Kerry)

Paul Mathews (St Fechins, Louth)

Jack Glynn (Claregalway Galway)

John Hayes (St Kieran's, Limerick)

Eoghan McLaughlin (Westport, Mayo)

Jack Mahon (Charlestown, Mayo)

Mark Dempsey (Moorefield, Kildare)

Connell Dempsey (Knockmore, Mayo)

Emmet McMahon (Kildysart, Clare)

Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis, Mayo)

Paul Walsh (Brosna, Kerry)

Brian McNamara (Cooraclare, Clare)

Ciarán Downes (Kilmihil, Clare)

Darragh Cashman (Millstreet, Cork)

Ikem Uguweru (Eire Og Ennis, Clare).