Begley with DCU team-mates (L-R) Tom Flynn, Michael Quinn and Colin Compton. Bank of Ireland have renewed their sponsorship of the DCU Sports Academy until 2016. Barry Cregg / Sportsfile
Sigerson Cup
'I came here hoping to play midfield this year. When I looked around I saw seven 6’ 5” lads'
DCU begin their quest to regain the Sigerson Cup against NUIG tomorrow afternoon.
DCU STILL HAVE the strength in depth to give manager Niall Moyna a selection headache, according to Colm Begley.
The Glasnevin side begin their Sigerson Cup campaign when they host NUI Galway tomorrow afternoon.
They do so without two of their most potent attacking threats, Donegal captain Michael Murphy and Dublin’s double All-Ireland winner Paul Flynn, who graduated last year.
Eoghan O’Gara (Dublin), Robert Hennelly (Mayo), Kieran Gavin (Westmeath) and David Kelly (Sligo) have also moved on from the side which won the Sigerson in 2012.
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Begley said: “If you are looking at the team, people always go on the big names and we have lost a few of them, but it was probably one of the closest teams competing for places that we have had.
“We have had good numbers out training over the last few months, a lot of young lads who have come through and pushed on. We have some good, solid players.”
Murphy: Donegal captain graduated from DCU last year (INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
“If you look at the lads, we have enough midfielders anyway. I came here hoping maybe to play midfield this year but when I looked around I saw seven 6’ 5” lads.
“It is a strong panel and that is something we need in Sigerson. It is going to be a tough selection for management.”
The bookmakers agree and installed DCU as pre-tournament favourites to win a third Sigerson in five years.
'I came here hoping to play midfield this year. When I looked around I saw seven 6’ 5” lads'
DCU STILL HAVE the strength in depth to give manager Niall Moyna a selection headache, according to Colm Begley.
The Glasnevin side begin their Sigerson Cup campaign when they host NUI Galway tomorrow afternoon.
They do so without two of their most potent attacking threats, Donegal captain Michael Murphy and Dublin’s double All-Ireland winner Paul Flynn, who graduated last year.
Eoghan O’Gara (Dublin), Robert Hennelly (Mayo), Kieran Gavin (Westmeath) and David Kelly (Sligo) have also moved on from the side which won the Sigerson in 2012.
Begley said: “If you are looking at the team, people always go on the big names and we have lost a few of them, but it was probably one of the closest teams competing for places that we have had.
“We have had good numbers out training over the last few months, a lot of young lads who have come through and pushed on. We have some good, solid players.”
Murphy: Donegal captain graduated from DCU last year (INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
Begley will miss tomorrow’s game while he continues his recovery from groin surgery, and he knows that he will face a battle for his place once he is fit again.
“If you look at the lads, we have enough midfielders anyway. I came here hoping maybe to play midfield this year but when I looked around I saw seven 6’ 5” lads.
“It is a strong panel and that is something we need in Sigerson. It is going to be a tough selection for management.”
The bookmakers agree and installed DCU as pre-tournament favourites to win a third Sigerson in five years.
Begley is particularly wary of the challenge from the Belfast colleges with finals set to be held in Queen’s University on 21/22 February.
“They do look very strong,” he said.
“The fact it is on up there this year as well, there is probably more of a push for them to make sure they get to the weekend.”
Kildare’s Paddy Brophy has set a high bar for last-minute winners
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