THE first round of this year's Sigerson Cup threw up a bit of a surprise yesterday at Plassey when University of Limerick were pipped at the finish by Dublin City University. The result is doubly disappointing for UL who will play host to the Sigerson finals for the first time next month.

Kerry's Dara O Cinneide took up where he left off last week during the rout of Trinity, to which he contributed 2-5. His total this time was seven points, but still it wasn't enough to stave off defeat.

DCU, with a couple of Dublin inter-county panellists, Paddy Christie and Ian Robertson, built a 0-7 to 0-4 half-time lead, but O Cinneide had wiped out that margin by the 41st minute. The teams were twice more level before Seamus Meehan hit the winner with three minutes left.

Meanwhile, harsh reality intruded into a couple of last week's heart-warming stories with both Tralee RTC and UUC being defeated. That's probably to patronise Tralee a little, as they are a coming college whose defeat of Maynooth eight days ago caused no significant upset.

Anyway, at Stack Park, they were unable to derail UCD, who are - for such a fancied team - making heavy weather of their progress. Last week, they edged out Cork RTC late in the match and yesterday had to withstand a vigorous comeback from Tralee.

With their wealth of intercounty talent - Trevor Giles (Meath), Joe Coyle (Monaghan). Anthony Finnerty and David Nestor (both Mayo) and Brian Dooher (Tyrone) - and a firm grip on centrefield, the visitors moved into a 0-6 to 0-0 lead after 20 minutes, and were 0-7 to 0-3 up at half-time. Some tactical acuity at the interval produced a few changes which hi ought Tralee back into the match.

With seven minutes left, the deficit had been pared to two (points, but that was as far as if went and UCD outscored the home team 0-3 to 0-2 in the closing stages.

Coleraine's stunning victory over perennial contenders Queens was the talking point of the preliminary round but yesterday they were well beaten by Sligo RTC. Surprisingly, it was at centrefield, where McAllister and McGleenan had won the match against Queens, that they were outplayed by Dessie McNamara and James Ruane.

Ruane - currently on the Donegal first team - enhanced his display with a spectacular solo goal, featuring a slalom run past five defenders and a 20-metre finish.

St Mary's, Belfast, play Athlone RTC this afternoon in the remaining match of the round.