St Mary’s University 1-10
UCC 1-10
(UCC win 3-2 on penalties)
Dan Bannon reports from Abbottstown
FOR THE SECOND week running, UCC goalkeeper Dylan Foley was the shootout king for his side in the Sigerson Cup. Same drama, different end, Foley’s three saved penalties teed-up Mark Cronin to fire home the winner and finally shake off a dogged St Mary’s side.
Interestingly, Cronin was a late sub in extra time after being substituted in normal time.
A shrewd move by the wily Billy Morgan perhaps.
In another parallel to last week, UCC will wonder why they make things so hard for themselves. They were in control for the majority and looked to have learnt the harsh lessons against Queens, only for Matt Óg McGleenan to pop up at the death and squeeze home a terrific equalising goal.
To make matters worse for the winners, St Mary’s only took the lead for the first time five minutes into extra time thanks to a Dara O’Callaghan free. The Belfast University deserve huge credit for staying in the game and showing supreme resilience to nearly snatch it.
Goalkeeper Charlie Smyth looked to have won it for Gavin McGilly’s men when he stroked over a contentiously-awarded ’45. UCC dug deep and after a couple of goalmouth scrambles and hop balls, Cathail O’Mahony brought the game to penalties with a free.
O’Mahony came in from the start having impressed the week previous, the Cork attacker rewarded that validation with a seventh-minute goal that looked to be difference between the sides on the night.
‘The Ranch’ stayed in touch throughout thanks to the lively Conor McConville and Cormac Murphy but could not get any closer than two points. At this stage UCC looked to be able to control things and keep the scoreboard ticking through the excellent Ruairí Murphy.
Late in normal time, referee Barry Tiernan and his officials deserve huge credit for taking their time and making a correct call on a point that was given to St. Mary’s.
The consultation was successful but UCC’s late lapse was to come. Mary’s full back Darragh Trainor came up the field to point and McGleenan then found the net to nearly stun the 2019 champions out of the competition.
Louis Hughes and O’Mahony traded superb scores that defied their weary legs. Twice St Mary’s looked to have done enough, but Foley would step up to the mark yet again to see his side reach the semis.
Scorers for UCC: Cathail O’Mahony 1-3 (2f), Ruairí Murphy 0-2, Shane Merritt (f), Dylan Geaney (f) Fionn Herlihy, Killian Flavey and Bill Curtin 0-1 each
Scorers for St. Mary’s: Matt Óg McGleenan 1-0, Cormac Murphy 0-2 (1f), Conor McConville (f) Charlie Smyth 0-2 (1f, 145’), Louis Hughes, Dara O’Callaghan (f), Darragh Trainor and Jude Campbell 0-1 each.
UCC
Dylan Foley (Éire Óg, Cork)
Briain Murphy (Nemo Rangers, Cork), Daniel O’Mahony ( Knocknagree, Cork), Damien Bourke (Na Gaeil, Kerry)
Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty, Cork), Ruairí Murphy (Listry, Kerry), Bill Curtin (Kilshannig, Cork)
Shane Merritt (Mallow, Cork), Brian Hartnett (Douglas, Cork)
Jack Murphy ( Éire Óg, Cork), Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys, Cork), Killian Falvey (Annascaul, Kerry)
Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers, Cork), Dylan Geaney (Dingle, Kerry), Cathail O’Mahony (Mitchelstown, Cork)
Subs
- Michael O’Gara (Austin Stacks, Kerry) for Flavey (45)
- Seán O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials, Tipperary) for Cronin (57)
- Liam Wall (Kilmurry, Cork) for Shanley (65)
- Rian Quigley (Moyle Rovers, Tipperary) for O’Gara (ht et),
- Cronin for J Murphy (80)
St. Mary’s
Charlie Smyth (Mayobridge, Down)
Michael McCallan (Carrickmore, Tyrone), Darragh Trainor (Tyholland, Monaghan), Killian Burke (Creggan Kickhams, Antrim)
Jude Campbell (Pomeroy Plunkett’s, Tyrone), McDarragh Hynes (Kilcoo, Down), Conan Milne (Bellaghy Wolfe Tones, Derry)
Michael McCarville (Scotstown, Monaghan), Cormac Smyth (Mullaghbawn, Armagh)
Danny Magee (Clann Eireann Armagh), Matt Óg McGleenan (Eglish, Tyrone), Cormac McGettigan (O’Donovan Rossa, Antrim)
Conor McConville (Clann Eireann, Armagh), Cormac Murphy (O’Donovan Rossa Magherfelt, Derry), Shane Donnelly (Creggan Kickhams, Antrim)
Subs
- Niall Burns (St.Galls, Antrim) for Donnelly (ht)
- Dara O’Callaghan (Crossmaglen Rangers, Armagh) for Cormac Smyth (41)
- Sean Quigley (Clonmore, Armagh) for Campbell (45)
- Ronan McGrath (Burren, Down) for D Magee (54)
- Louis Hughes (Granemore, Armagh) for McConville (62)
- McConville for Burns (73)
- Magee for McGrath (75)
- Smyth for McGleenan (77)
Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).
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Some serious young talent coming through at Munster, first time you can say that in about 20 years.
@Hud Hastings: Hoping to see Gleeson get a start soon. 6’4 and 116kg at just 19 is scary. Huge potential for the young lad. Can see Coombes moving to 6 in a season or two
@Frank Grimes: hour big is Quinn? You’d imagine he’d be the other starter with those two in a few years, with Hodnet, Kendelan in the mix too. Crazy exciting again
@Ciaran Kennedy: both Hodnett and Kendellan are smart operators but I just feel they’re too small for top level.
Tony butler also an underage hurler for Clare. Won a Harty with St.flannans at wing back in 2020
@Dec: he’s a savage loss to Clare hurling. Ditto O’Connor for Cork.
Munster getting a look at their second row future when one or both of their WC winners go at the end of the season. Both will be in demand at the end of their contracts. Can’t see the IRFU letting the two stay especially when talents like ahern and Edogbo are coming through. Will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
@Kevin: don’t see why not. Most sides play 3 secondrows every game so the 2 youngsters will get plenty of game time and learn from one of the best. As a leinster fan I hope both are allowed to stay.
@chris mcdonnell: no problem with them staying either. It’s an attritional position so the two Irish lads will see plenty of time. Just wonder will nucifora/humphries see it the same way. On a human level Kleyn has put down real roots marrying a Galway girl. It would be hugely unfair to not renew his deal.
@Kevin: There’s also Beirne of course. I imagine Kleyn will stay, but the last season for RG. (Well, unless there’s some combination of big money coming in to keep RG and one of the young lads being loaned out to get playing experience elsewhere)
@Kevin: well said regarding Kleyn. I think he has more than earned that from the IRFU from his commitment to rugby in Ireland. He has given his best years here.
@Kevin: hasn’t he a brother that’s a back?
Like this team, hope they can deliver. Great to finally see Quinn come through again, v lively player with huge potential. For all the talk of Frische he’s not even in match day squad. Really hope he’s not injured or some such. Coughlan has been decent but really interested to see Casey and Patterson battle it out this season.
Really exciting bench. Archer aside, those players are could be the future of munster rugby for years to come. Coupled with some youth in the starting line up and all of a sudden the pipeline looks in pretty good health.
As a leinster fan I am getting a bit worried about the backrow talent coming through at Munster. If you throw in Ahern and Crowley, they have an exciting looking team which can only be good for Ireland going forward
Jeez.. Every time Carberry gets in a good groove he breaks again. Aaaagh
Looks like Coombes will become a second row when Gleeson gets the 8 spot. I believe he could flourish there.
@Tom Reilly: are a 6 they have like 8 second row’s
@Sèan: 6 could be a good option when POM retires.
@Tom Reilly: Gonna be a big year for Coombs. Doris didn’t light up the wc like I had thought he would so the door may still be open for him, but he needs to find the form that saw him the top try scorer a few seasons back. Haven’t even considered Okoke who’s been invisible since his one decent showing last season too.
@Tom Reilly: the SA number 8 is 38 i think lets give pete 4 more years
@Thesaltyurchin: I think he got injured but may now have missed his window opportunity with the likes of Gleeson & Quinn coming through.
@Thesaltyurchin: invisible as in injured for most of last season?
@Pierce O’Hehir: Whatever you like really.