DCU overcome UCC in extra time to claim another Sigerson Cup

DCU 1-14 UCC 2-10 (AET)

It wasn't spectacular or particularly convincing, and DCU couldn't care less. In winning back the Sigerson Cup after extra-time they finally got the better of UCC on their home turf, deserving champions after a tight and difficult contest.

It also extended DCU’s record in Sigerson Cup finals, they have now played in four finals, and won four - also winning 2006, 2010 and 2012. Yet they did it the hard way - forcing extra-time, at the death, then just edging it in the end, thanks to a late winner from Conor McGraynor.

Indeed DCU were in front for much of extra-time, 1-11 to 0-9, with Eoin O’Connor scoring the pick of the points, before retiring injured. UCC hit back just 10 seconds into the second period with a smashing goal from David Culhane who caught the ball from the throw-in and ran straight through the heart of the DCU defence.

It wasn’t enough to see them survive, however, as DCU rode out their luck a little - just like they did in their semi-final win over UCD.

Early exchanges

Playing into the slight breeze, and showery rain, UCC had taken the early initiative, driven by local Cork star and captain Thomas Clancy, while Cox opened their scoring with a free.

Donal Wrynn and a free from Conor McHugh briefly put DCU in front, before UCC took over again - points from Clancy, Shaun Keane and Cox again helping them go into a 0-5 to 0-3 lead. Both sides missed goal chances, Shaun Kiely from UCC having his effort disallowed, for a foul on the goalkeeper, and at the other end, Wrynn sliced the side netting for DCU just before the break.

Still, with McHugh winning plenty of possession in front of goal, Enda Smith and Eoin O'Connor brought DCU level again just in time for the break: at 0-5 apiece they started level over after the break.

A second half goal from Donal Wrynn, fisted in close to the netting, set up by Donal Smith, had given DCU the first decisive advantage, 1-6 to 0-6.

It seemed that might see them through to the end of normal time, before

substitute Alan O'Donovan hit the net for UCC on 57 minutes set up by Luke Connolly - and that put them in front 1-8 to 1-7. Conor Cox then had a decent chance in front of goal to seal the deal, although his shot veered just wide.

Then, just at the death of normal time, DCU won a free just beyond the 45-metre line - and up stepped goalkeeper Tadgh Lowe with the chance to force extra-time: he made no mistake, neatly slicing the posts and with that they went at each other again for another 20 minutes.

UCC had tired somewhat by then, the second game within 24 hours perhaps taking a greater toll upon them, against a team who had played their semi-final slightly earlier the day previous. Either way there was no denying DCU.

DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY: T Lowe (0-2, frees); C Begley, C Boyle (0-1), C Moynagh; J Smith, C Daly (0-1), D Ward; S O'Brien (0-1), E O'Connor (0-2); D Wrynn (1-1), C McGraynor (0-2), D O'Connor; C McHugh (0-1f), C Meredith, E Smith (0-2).

Subs: D Smith (0-1) for McHugh, M Quinn for Ward (both half time), R Connor for D O’Connor (43 mins), B Donnelly for Meredith (53 mins), S McCoy for E Smith (58 mins). E Smith for McCoy (extra-time), C Meredith for Carey (black card, 63 mins), N Murphy for E O’Connor (69 mins), T Lahiffe for E Smith (75 mins).

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK: M Martin; F McNamara, J McGuire, P O'Connor; C Dorman (0-1), D Culhane (1-0), T Clancy (capt) (0-1); S Kiely, G O'Sullivan (0-1); S Kaune (0-1), L Connolly (0-1, a 45), B O'Driscoll; D Harrington, P Geaney, C Cox (0-3, one free).

Subs: A O’Donovan (1-1) for O’Driscoll (29 mins), E O Conchuir for O’Sullivan (20 mins), K Davis (0-1) for Keane (53 mins), S White for O’Donovan (59 mins, black card).

Referee: Eddie Kinsella (Laois)