by Luke Lyons
FOR the second year on the trot, UL are heading into the Sigerson Cup final. They will face UCC this Wednesday night at the WIT Sports Campus (kick-off 7.30pm).
For the Limerick team, it may be a redemption story after last year’s 0-12 to 1-6 loss against NUI Galway (the side’s first win since 2003).
The Shannonsiders will be coming into the clash confident after last week’s outstanding performance (3-12 to 0-12) that saw DCU Dóchas Éireann firmly ejected from the competition.
The game saw DCU take the lead no less than four times – including two strong points from DCU’s Keelin McGann – but UL were able to find responses at every turn.
By the half-time whistle, UL had pressed ahead 1-7 to 0-4, almost cementing their place in the final.
A strong performance was put in by UL stalwart Ciarán Downes, who bagged a game-changing 1-3 from play, as well as Aaron Griffin and Eoghan McLaughlin putting down one goal apiece on their scoresheet. Many of UL’s other scores game from frees.
The UL side have made their presence felt heavily throughout the cup so far, putting SETU Carlow to bed in a romp 4-11 to 1-4 showcase, as well as walking past UCC in what may be a final-predicting 2-7 to 0-10 battle.
All this despite a 1-15 to 2-10 upset to old foes NUIG in January.
Still, UL may find themselves up against it come Wednesday, considering UCC’s performance to date.
The Cork side charged through TU Dublin 1-12 to 0-13 in their semi-final, with key player Cathail O’Mahoney racking up four points from play and a further two from frees. O’Mahoney will surely be one to watch for UL.
The showdown will take place this Wednesday at WIT’s Sports Campus, kicking off from 7.30pm. It will also air live on TG4 from 7.20pm.
