DCU 0-17
Queen’s University 0-9
Michael Murphy kicked nine points as DCU swept past Queen’s University in the Sigerson Cup this afternoon.
In a game played at the DCU Sportsgrounds, Donegal star Murphy gave an attacking masterclass as DCU prevailed in this first round clash by nine points.
DCU followed up last weekend’s preliminary round success against UL with another victory and can now look forward to a quarter-final meeting with UCD next Thursday.
The winners played into an extremely strong wind in the first-half yet significantly were still able to fashion a 0-7 to 0-6 lead by half-time.
The opening period was evenly-contested on the scoreboard but DCU’s scores were more noteworthy given the wind with both Murphy and Dean Rock showing excellent judgment and accuracy in clipping over points in the first-half.
Murphy, playing in the half-forward line in the early stages, helped put DCU into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead after the first quarter but Derry’s James Kielt and Down’s Donal O’Hare kept Queen’s University in touch as they only trailed by the minimum at the break.
Turning to play against the wind, Queen’s University opened brightly in the second-half and a brace of Kielt frees sandwiched a point from play by Murphy to leave the teams tied 0-8 apiece after the break.
However Queen’s University would only add one further point, a late free by O’Hare, and they failed to score from play in the second-half as a DCU rearguard, which had standout displays from Jonathan Cooper and Michael Quinn, held firm.
Up front DCU were inspired by the magnificence of Murphy, now deployed at full-forward, as he produced sparkling marksmanship in notching points from an array of angles.
Queen’s University were unable to cope as DCU got on top and when captain Paul Flynn pointed in the 45th minute, they were in control as they lead by 0-12 to 0-8.
The game petered to its inevitable conclusion from there with Christopher McGuinness catching the eye upon his introduction in attack for DCU and fittingly Murphy fired over a stunning point from the right to seal their triumph.
Scorers for DCU: Michael Murphy 0-9 (0-4f), Dean Rock, Christopher McGuinness 0-2 each, Antoin McFadden, Paul Flynn, Donie Smith, Jack McCarron 0-1 each.
Scorers for Queen’s University: James Kielt 0-5 (0-4f), Donal O’Hare 0-2 (0-2f), Shay McArdle, Christy Sheerin 0-1 each.
DCU: James Farrelly (Cavan); William Lowry (Dublin), Jonathan Cooper (Dublin), Conor Daly (Roscommon); James McCarthy (Dublin), Jack Brady (Cavan), Michael Quinn (Longford); Fiontan O Curraoin (Galway), Pete O’Hanlon (Monaghan); Paul Flynn (Dublin), Michael Murphy (Donegal), Antoin McFadden (Donegal); Dean Rock (Dublin), Brian Donnelly (Louth), Philip Ryan (Dublin).
Subs: Donie Smith (Roscommon) for Donnelly (14), Davy Byrne (Dublin) for McCarthy (38), Christopher McGuinness (Monaghan) for Ryan (42), Jack McCarron (Monaghan) for Rock (51), Eamon Doherty (Donegal) for Flynn (56).
Queen’s University: Matthew Jackson (Fermanagh); Peter Quinn (Derry), Gerard McGovern (Down), Owen Costello (Derry); Jamie O’Reilly (Down), Ryan Mallon (Down), Brian Cox (Fermanagh); James Kielt (Derry), Christy Sheerin (Antrim); Caolan Rafferty (Armagh), Niall McKenna (Tyrone), Ryan Jones (Fermanagh); Donal O’Hare (Down), Shay McArdle (Down), Eugene McVerry (Armagh).
Subs: Conor Kearns (Down) for Sheerin (half-time), Sean Warnock (Tyrone) for McGovern (half-time), Harry Og Conlon (Tyrone) for McArdle (half-time), Ryan Rafferty (Armagh) for McKenna (54), Ryan Murray (Antrim) for McVerry (56).
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)
Even the great Sexton left Leinster to play for a better club!!
The analysis isn’t worth squat without application of a strategy that all the players buy into. Something is not right in Munster badly need to rebuild with 2-3 quality signings, Henshaw would be nice, and a top quality management team needs to be given 3 years minimum.
Why would Henshaw want to move to munster. When he has the best coach of all the provinces and the best youth development. A few big signings would be nice for connacht maybe cj stander and dave foley ?
Well said Harvey. He’d be mad to leave a great learning environment with Mils, Bundi, Pat and great players his own age around him. Time to put the idea of Connacht as a feeder club to bed. Munster should come up to Connacht and see how things are done with a small budget because that is where they are now. They could learn how to develop players like Leader, Marmion and Henshaw. Sort your mess out, especially your board, and leave Connacht grow.
Exactly they wont even invest in there own youth ie jj hanrahan he has the potential to be one of the best outhalfs in the country and he was let go. Problem with leinster and munster is they are looking for the quick fix to get them back winning trophies there two different teams than what they were a few years ago with different coaches . Things arent going to be built overnight for them .
Good things are happening at connacht and if the other provinces and the irfu come in and unsettle things they will have shown alot of disrespect for the people out west.
At the moment the irfu need pat lam more than he needs them. They would want to keep on his good side he is doing great things for irish rugby at the moment.
@theheathen you can also add Buckley to that list of home grown big hitters; also just look at the difference Connacht has been to Quinn Roux, he’s a new player since he moved!
Munster did all that developing years ago that’s how they got to the top so did Leinster the problem is now they have to try stay there which is not easy sucess leads to expectation!Connacht are just starting to build something now hopefully they succeed with the players they have but have bit to go yet don’t get carried away with yourselves!
A load of bull Harvey
Leinster get back the wining trophies? I think Leinster have been winning trophies season after season for a long time now.
Your problem is you know and I know that good young players want to do the best for themselves and play for the best teams. Munster and Leinster are the two biggest and best teams in all the Celtic nation’s history.
If a young player didn’t want to play for either of them he simply doesn’t have enough ambition
Henshaw to Munster and Marmion to Leinster is the way it will work out.
@Harvey Kinkel The Leinster development set up is the best in the country, yes the coach is sh*t but there are plenty of young guys coming through. They don’t need a “quick fix”, but it is always nice to augment a team with quality players such as Elsom and Thorn.
Munster on the other hand can’t develop a centre if their lives depended on it. JJ is a massive loss! Personally I think if they want to buy a centre they should try to get a bench warmer in Leinster or Ulster or go after Chris Farrell in Grenoble
@ Chris McDonnell it is ridiculous to say a player wanting to play for Connacht has no ambition. They’re not too far off the other Irish Provinces in the Pro12 and their coach is certainly better than the others. I’m hoping coaches like McCall Jackman and O’Shea feel homesick soon!
Yer all full of crap
@harvey great rugby jargon there harv,perhaps you could keep the replies a bit shorter with less big words for the ordinary supporter!!
I said henshaw would be nice. Well done Harvey you miss the point completely and then respond subsequently saying the management in Connaught and potential is better than munster. Ya haven’t a clue
Lay of the hash lad.