Queen's respond

Queen's University 2-12 NUI Maynooth 1-9 Queen's University emerged worthy winners at The Dub, Belfast, yesterday

Queen's University 2-12 NUI Maynooth 1-9Queen's University emerged worthy winners at The Dub, Belfast, yesterday. With Longford's Francis McGee in superb form, Maynooth controlled the early stages and were 0-5 to 0-1 ahead after 16 minutes but two goals in a three-minute spell before the interval revitalised the home side back.

The first goal came on 26 minutes from the penalty spot, after James McGovern was brought down, by Kieran McGourty while in the 29th minute Joe O'Kane sliced through for the second. That left Queen's 2-3 to 0-7 ahead.

Within a minute of the restart Maynooth were in front again as Neil Jordan hit the net. McGee added a point in the 33rd minute to leave Maynooth leading again at 1-8 to 2-3 but that was the end of their challenge.

QUEEN'S: D Alder; M Rooney, D McCartan, R O'Neill (0-1); C Vernon (0-1), K Gunn, P Courtney; P Turley, C O'Brien; J O'Kane (1-0), A Carr, K McGourty (1-2, one pen), J McGovern (0-1), E McCartan (0-3), M O'Rourke (0-3, two frees). Subs: G O'Kane for O'Neill (41 mins), M Ward (0-1) for Carr (46 mins), J Haughey for McGourty (56 mins), P O'Hea for Rooney (56 mins), R Dillon for Courtney (56 mins).

MAYNOOTH: P Cunningham; D Bierne, S Cotter, A Nolan; S Lawlor, T Brosnan, M Carey (0-1); M Foley, M Kennedy; S Brennan (0-1), M Cahill, C Gurn; G Brennan, N Jordan (1-0), F McGee (0-7, six frees). Subs: C Lawlor for S Lawlor (12 mins), S Mulholland for S Brennan (56 mins), B Cleary for Gurn (56 mins), D McComish for Cahill (56 mins).

Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • What’s making headlines in the rugby world? Listen to The Counter Ruck podcast with Nathan Johns

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered to your phone