Historic Sigerson win for DCU

DCU won their second ever Sigerson Cup after a four point win over UCC in Leixlip GAA Grounds on February 27. The final score was DCU 1-11 - UCC 0-10.

With less than 24 hours rest following a gruelling semi-final against NUIM, DCU showed tremendous fitness and work-rate to wear down their Cork opponents and claim the title.

Indeed it was DCU who started the brighter and after 13 minutes had raced out into a four point lead. Paul Flynn opened the scoring after only two minutes of play when his left footed effort from a difficult angle sailed between the posts.

Soon after Brian Sheridan scored his first of the day from a free 40 metres out. DCU were playing at a much higher intensity than in previous games with their half back line in particular playing well, and were forcing UCC to shoot from distance which resulted in little success.

In the first ten it seemed that DCU would run riot as they created numerous chances. Sheridan soon added another free following a pull on his jersey. Paddy Andrews then capped off a swift counter attack after Kieran Gavin broke up a promising UCC attack to give DCU a four point advantage.

UCC finally opened their advantage in the 15th minute when Kevin O’Driscoll scored after good play by Barry O’Driscoll. Five minutes later Barry O’Driscoll reduced the deficit to two when he landed a magnificent free form distance following a push on David Kearney.

DCU were denied a goal when UCC full back Eoin Hegarty tipped a Cullen pass intended for Sheridan behind for a ‘45. This was after good work by David Kelly and Kevin Nolan who had started the attack in his own full back line.

At the other end Michael Boyle had to be alert to keep out a Seamus Hayes effort, while Kieran Gavin did extremely well to divert a superb cross field ball from O’Driscoll which was intended for Hayes in a dangerous position.

DCU then scored from two quick frees to extend their advantage to four once again. The first came courtesy of Brian Sheridan while Ronan Flanagan converted the other from a tricky angle.

Daithí Casey then landed a super score from over 45 yards out for UUC. UUC were still struggling to get to grips with DCU’s high tempo and this was a rare score for UCC who could find no way past DCU’s rearguard.

With Brian Cullen in particular standing out, DCU were displaying a tremendous work rate with Paul Flynn and Cathal Gregg winning ball in their own half back line numerous times.

DCU entered half time with a six points to three advantage over UCC following a high intensity first half from the pre-game favourites. DCU opened their account in the second half after only 40 seconds.

A Kieran Gavin long ball found its way to Kelly who was fouled and Sheridan tacked on the free. However a similar foul from Kevin Nolan gave Barry O’Driscoll an immediate chance to cut the lead and he obliged with another sweetly struck free off the ground.

Both sides then missed frees with O’Driscoll and Flanagan the culprits. After seven minutes of the second half, Gregg scored a fine individual point to widen the lead to four before Andrews missed a golden opportunity when the keeper stood firm to deny him when 1-v-1.

Within three minute of coming on as a sub Daniel Goold scored two points for UCC. However the turning point came between these two scores as Brian Sheridan emphatically buried the ball in the back of the UUC net following a terrific run from Gregg who was growing in prominence as the game wore on.

The score gave DCU a six point advantage that they would never look like relinquishing. Caey added a superb score with the outside of his foot as UCC tried in vain to reel in DCU. However Paul Flynn the pounced on a loose hand pass in the UCC halfback line to score his second of the day. Michael Collins added two quick points as UUC poured forward.

To their credit the DCU defence held firm with Darrach Mooney epitomising this when he harried and hassled Hayes before stripping him of possession. DCU were content to keep possession and slow the tempo down by finding each other with short quick hand passes.

As the Cork side attacked in numbers, DCU were able to exploit the gaps at the back and with two minutes to go were awarded a penalty after a trip on Brian Sheridan who went for his point to ensure there was two scores in the game.

With time winding down, Michael Boyle made a terrific stop to tip over a goal bound effort from Michael Collins before David Kelly, the hero of the semi final victory sealed the win with his first score of the day in injury time.

The final whistle was greeted with scenes of jubilation from players, management and supporters alike as DCU claimed their second Sigerson Cup in the last five years.

Scorers -DCU: B Sheridan 1-5(0-4)f (0-1)p, P Flynn (0-2) , R Flanagan (0-1f), D Kelly, C Gregg and P Andrews (0-1) each.

UCC: D Goold, M Collins, D Casey and B O’Driscoll (0-2f) 0-2 each, K O’Driscoll and S Hayes (0-1) each.
DCU: M Boyle ; P McMahon, K Gavin, K Nolan; D Mooney, B Cullen J Copper; D Sheridan, Hugh McGrillen; C Gregg, R Flanagan, P Flynn; D Kelly, B Sheridan, P Andrews. Subs: H Gill for Cooper (33), R Cullivan for Flynn (38), M Lyng for Gregg(53), D Shine for Gavin(60).

UCC: K O’Halloran ; E Cotter, E Hegarty, S Enright; D Limrick, A Greaney, P Corrigan; M Shields, J Buckley; D Casey, S Kiely, K O’Driscoll; B O’Driscoll, S Hayes, D Kearney. Subs: D Goold for Kiely (38), M Collins for K O’Driscoll(46), B Daly for Corrigan(50), P Hoonahan for Kearney(56).