Sigerson Cup Round 2
- UCC 1-12 ATU Galway 0-8
- SETU Carlow 2-9 MTU Kerry 0-12
UCC 1-12 ATU Galway 0-8
Kevin Egan reports from Tuam Stadium
WITHOUT EVER hitting the real high notes, UCC kept their Sigerson Cup ambitions alive thanks to a seven-point win over ATU Galway in Tuam Stadium this afternoon, their victory secured thanks to a 54th-minute goal from substitute Seán O’Connor.
With Galway star Johnny McGrath absent through an injury sustained in their opening round contest against TU Dublin last week, reigning Trench Cup champions ATU Galway were clear underdogs coming into this afternoon’s tie against Billy Morgan’s side, and for the opening 20 minutes, it looked like UCC were going to justify their favouritism in style.
After Fionn Herlihy and James Foley traded long-range scores in the opening 10 minutes, the visitors settled into the game very well and some fine points from Brian Hartnett, Killian Falvey and Mark Cronin pushed them 0-6 to 0-2 in front.
However, ATU Galway worked their way back into the contest in the closing minutes of the first half, with the midfield pair of Dylan Ruane and Conor Raftery on the mark from play as they reduced the gap to a single point.
UCC preserved their lead throughout the third quarter but were never out of sight, and ATU Galway will live to regret a number of missed chances, most notably Adam McDermott’s slip when he got in behind the UCC defence and picked up possession 25 metres out from goal with just the goalkeeper to beat.
That failure to test Dylan Foley in the UCC goal proved fatal as yet another Dylan Geaney free pushed the lead out to three, and then a strong run from Cathail O’Mahony opened up a goal chance, and while Jack Livingstone made a superb save to deny the Ballygiblin player, the ball fell perfectly for O’Connor to tap in a simple goal and make safe the win with six minutes remaining.
Scorers for UCC: D Geaney 0-6 (0-5f), S O’Connor 1-0, C Begley 0-2, F Herlihy, K Falvey, B Hartnett, M Cronin 0-1 each.
Scorers for ATU Galway: N Grainger 0-3f, J Foley, C Raftery, D Ruane, D Farrell, G Higgins 0-1 each.
UCC:
1 Dylan Foley (Éire Óg, Cork)
6 Brian Murphy (Nemo Rangers, Cork)
3 Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree, Cork)
4 Damien Burke (Na Gaeil, Kerry)
2 Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty, Cork)
24 Rúairí Murphy (Listry, Kerry)
7 Bill Curtin (Kilshannig, Cork)
8 Shane Merritt (Mallow, Cork)
9 Brian Hartnett (Douglas, Cork)
10 Jack Murphy (Éire Óg, Cork)
11 Fionn Herlihy (Doheny’s, Cork)
12 Killian Falvey (Annascaul, Kerry)
13 Seán Quilter (Austin Stacks, Kerry)
18 Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers, Cork)
22 Dylan Geaney (Dingle, Kerry)
Subs: Cathal Begley (An Gaeltacht) for Herlihy (23), Seán O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials) for Quilter (42), Cathail O’Mahony (Mitchelstown, Cork) for Falvey (48), Ronan Dalton (Nemo Rangers, Cork) for Cronin (59).
ATU GALWAY:
1 Jack Livingstone (Breaffy, Mayo)
2 Liam Costello (Milltown, Galway)
3 Aran McManus (Teemore, Fermanagh)
4 Jason O’Malley (Louisburgh, Mayo)
5 Michael Byrne (Athlone, Westmeath)
6 James Foley (Mountbellew-Moylough, Galway)
7 Joe Moran (The Downs, Westmeath)
8 Conor Raftery (Glenamaddy, Galway)
9 Dylan Ruane (Michael Glaveys, Roscommon)
12 Niall Treacy (Davitts, Mayo)
11 Dylan Farrell (Killashee, Longford)
10 Conor Keenan (Fr. Manning Gaels, Longford)
13 Adam McDermott (Castlerea St. Kevin’s, Roscommon)
14 Conor Reid (Bohola Moy Davitts, Mayo)
15 Nathan Grainger (Claregalway, Galway)
Subs: Gary Higgins (St. Michael’s, Galway) for Reid (half-time), Conor Hackett (St. Mary’s, Leitrim) for Keenan (45), Reid for Treacy (50)
Referee: John Gilmartin (Sligo)
They bloody well better offer him more than a one year deal! He’s been brilliant after the turmoil of the Keane tenure, also I imagine Friendy is a big part of why players would join.
The IRFU need to cop on and tie down the good coaches to long term contracts. Oh and sign the players too. Stop importing players for 2 seasons and promote from within
I hope the IRFU find the funds to keep him longer. Nigel Carolan would be another option.
@Con Cussed: yeah Nigel is an option, but the question remains whether his preference is hands on coaching rather than top management. His track record has been good enough for years to have had Head Coach job offers elswere, but he’s stayed in Galway. My feeling is he loves what he does and isn’t interested in the politics of the top job, could be 100% wrong of course. Jimmy Duffy is established too. Shame the timing was out for Dan McFarland, because he would fit back in perfectly. All the above is conjecture of course, first preference is to keep Friendy. Love what he’s doing and especially the contagious positive vibe he exudes from every pore…..
Suspect Friend will be returning to Australia at the end of the current season. He was very annoyed about the failure to win the game vs Munster last weekend off that final scrum and his pique at his onfield leaders botching (yet again) an end of game opportunity was noticeable. I wonder if he feels he’s taken them as far as he can. I do hope he stays. He’s a great man manager, but a 1 year contract extension offer would force him to look elsewhere, and will the IRFU offer him a 2 year contract – I doubt it.
@David Finn: If the IRFU are serious they have to stop these 1-2 year deals. It gives the wrong message to those receiving them. Keep Friendly at Connacht or resign. The politics at the IRFU does not help in these situations.