NUI Galway 2-12
Dublin IT 0-15
John Fallon reports frofm Mullingar
NUI GALWAY HELD off a spirited rally from Dublin IT toinght to advance to their first Sigerson Cup final in 15 years.
The Galway college never trailed during a good contest in heavy rain in Mullingar.
And not even the presence of Dublin star Brian Howard could tilt the contest the way of DIT as they looked for a place in the final since their sole success in 2013.
NUIG led by 1-6 to 0-7 at the interval with Galway’s Sean Kelly crashing home a superb goal two minutes from the break.
They started well with Owen Gallagher and Adam Gallagher getting them off the mark with good points in the opening nine minutes.
DIT were boosted by the inclusion of Howard for his first Sigerson Cup action of the season and he provided a big influence around the middle of the field.
Howard got them off the mark after ten minutes when he went forward to shoot a good score before Enda Tierney and Shane Dempsey exchanged points, and then Adam Gallagher and Sean Hurley did likewise.
Galway midfielder Peter Cooke landed a good point but Wickow’s Ross O’Brien soloed forward to cancel it.
Conor Loftis tied the match six minutes from the break but then after Adam Gallagher pointed for NUIG, Finnerty struck for a fine goal.
However, DIT hauled cut the gap before the break with frees from either side from Loftus and Hurley.
DIT produced a good third quarter which saw them draw level at 1-9 to 0-12 but then Eoin Finnerty struck a huge blow for NUIG when he blasted home their second goal twelve minutes from time.
Corofin’s Kieran Molloy, who will miss Saturday’s final as he will be in action for his club in the All-Ireland semi-final, put NUIG four ahead but DIT got it back to two with points from Sean Hurley and Kilian O’Gara.
Points from Enda Tierney and Adam Gallagher seemed to make the game safe for NUIG but a late Conor Madden point for DIT ensured a nervous finish but the Galway college held out for a deserved success.
Scorers for NUI Galway: Adam Gallagher 0-4 (0-2f), Sean Kelly, Eoin Finnerty 1-0 each, Ronan O’Toole, Enda Tierney (0-1 ’45) 0-2 each, Peter Cooke, Owen Gallagher, Damien Comer, Kieran Molloy 0-1 each.
Scorers for Dublin IT: Sean Hurley 0-4 (0-4f), Conor Loftus 0-3 (0-1f), Killian O’Gara 0-2, Brian Howard , Shane Dempsey, Ross O’Brien, Caoimhin O’Reilly, Thomas Corcoran, Conor Madden 0-1 each.
NUI Galway
1. Tadgh O’Malley (Leitir Mór, Galway)
2. Stephen Brennan (Claremorris, Mayo)
3. Seán Mulkerrin (Oileán Árainn, Galway)
34. Kevin McDonnell (Castleconnor, Sligo)
17. Colm Kelly (Ballyshannon, Donegal)
6. Ruairí Greene (Killannin, Galway)
7. Gerard O’Kelly Lynch (St Mary’s, Sligo)
8. Céin D’Arcy (Caherlistrane, Galway)
9. Peter Cooke (Maigh Cuilinn, Galway)
12. Enda Tierney (Oughterard, Galway)
11. Owen Gallagher (St Joseph’s, Glenavy, Antrim)
10. Adam Gallagher (Mayo Gaels, Mayo)
13. Brian Donovan (Monaleen, Limerick)
14. Damien Comer (Annaghdown, Galway)
15. Seán Kelly (Maigh Cuilinn, Galway)
Subs
25. Ronan O’Toole (St Loman’s, Westmeath) for S Kelly (32)
5. Kieran Molloy (Corofin, Galway) for Donovan (42)
27. Eoin Finnerty (Mountbellew-Moylough, Galway) for O Gallagher (43)
24. Ryan Forde (Annaghdown, Galway) for C Kelly (48)
20. John Maher (Salthill Knocknacarra, Galway) for Greene (59)
Dublin IT
1. Lee Stacey (Good Counsel, Dublin)
4. Andrew McGowan (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin)
3. Brian Power (Ratoath, Meath)
2. Ronan Shanahan (Austin Stacks, Kerry)
29. Brian Howard (Raheny, Dublin)
6. Ross O’Brien (Rathnew, Wicklow)
7. Bill Maher (Kilsheelan/Kilcash, Tipperary)
8. Tomás Corcoran (Strokestown, Roscommon)
9. Seán Hurley (Johnstownbridge, Kildare)
10. Callum Pearson (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin)
11. Conor Loftus (Crossmolina, Mayo)
12. Cormac Howley (Round Towers Lusk, Dublin)
13. Caomhin O’Reilly (Butlersbridge, Cavan)
22. Danny Kirby (Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo)
15. Shane Dempsey (St Lomans, Westmeath)
Subs
5. Liam Hughes (Killoe, Longford) for Dempsey (BC 22)
18. Killian O’Gara (Templeogue SS, Dublin) for Corcoran (42)
19. Liam Hughes (Emmett Og Killoe, Longford) for Kirby (42)
26. Ben Brennan (St Colmcille, Meath) for O’Reilly (57)
20. David McAllister (Emyvale, Monaghan) for Dempsey (57)
21. Conor Madden (Gowna, Cavan) for Loftus (59)
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow)
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You could sign Ronaldo, Messi, Ramos, and Neymar and Mbapee and United would still be sat mid table. As long as they have a manager who refuses to play football and who also sets up teams to draw matche or grab a one nil win, United will not go anywhere. They have a serious squad of talent if used the right way. Sanchez, Pogba and Fred have not become bad players
@Philip Morgan: Draconian football. Game has moved on since his unreal achievement at Inter. Klopp and Pep have moved with it. José won’t. How a team with Martial Mata Fred Pogba Matic De Gea Valencia Rashford Sanchez Lukaku etc are where they are is not baffling. It’s obvious. It’s José. Simple as that. Imagine how someone like Eddie Howe would have that team playing.
@Mike Lyn: Eddie Howe, now there’s a name I never thought of. Young manager with lots of experience, and plays quality football. Always sets up his teams positively and players play for him.
@Conor M: Bang on. Perfect fit only for, would he be given time frame ,and capable of managing big egos. He is a class act. Conducts himself impeccably all the time, win lose or draw.
The same could be said about Fabinho at Liverpool. He has looked very average in the handful of games he has played in and you don’t hear anyone giving out about Klopp over it.
Most players need time to settle in. Next season we will see how good Fred is, that’s if he is still there.
@Maureen: Of course he will be there unless you’re going to buy him are you ?
@Mike Lyn: Well the likes of Falcao and Di Maria didn’t last long at United. It wouldnt be much of a surprise if he was flogged off at the end of the season if his form doesn’t improve soon. It seems to be the United way lately both on and off the field!
@Maureen: ah will he go on off with yourself using rational arguments this is a United article
I imagine the chasm between the Ukranian league and the Premier league is significant never mind coming into a team that is out of sorts. In my eyes it is harsh to judge him until next season. If United were playing well judgements might be made sooner. He’s also suffering from the fact he was the only big signing United made this window and everybody including his manager keeps going on about what a disappointing window it has been.
We’ll learn a lot from Mourinho if he throws Lukaku back in on a regular basis when he’s fit. It’s then when we know if he knows what he’s doing. Fred is nowhere near worth 50m but he’s not had the chance. I’m personally not expecting a lot from him. This lad could easily be another Djemba Djemba.
@Simon Doherty: for you a pool jersey for Xmas kid.
@Shane Doherty: Thanks Dad.
@Simon Doherty: what’s wrong with that
Ya tosspot
There’s a number of things you can blame Mourinho for at Utd; his inability to play attacking football, his inability to get the best out of Lukaku, Pogba and Sanchez, making Ashley Young captain, his ongoing moaning about not being able to sign more players despite spending a fortune, but you can’t complain about a new signing being integrated into a team that’s struggling!
Waste of money.
Gary good player respect you as a player but as a man united fan his opinions are just wrong