Football

Star-studded Ulster University take on rivals St Mary's

Niall McKeever, right, has impressed at midfield for Ulster University this season
Niall McKeever, right, has impressed at midfield for Ulster University this season Niall McKeever, right, has impressed at midfield for Ulster University this season

Sigerson Cup quarter-final: Ulster University v St Mary’s (today, Jordanstown, 2pm)

KIERAN Hughes and Richard Donnelly have both recovered from minor injuries sustained on county duty last weekend in time to line out for Ulster University in this afternoon’s Belfast derby at the Jordanstown.

Monaghan’s Hughes and Tyrone star Donnelly both came on as second half substitutes in the National Football League last Sunday and could slot into the star-studded ‘Poly’ line-up against a St Mary’s side that is also packed full of household names.

Click here for live coverage of the match from 2pm

The fact that neither Hughes nor Donnelly featured in the 2-14 to 0-11 round one win over Garda College last week - secured despite the loss of Rory Brennan to a red card after 25 minutes - is an indication of the strength of this UU panel.

Tyrone defender Brennan misses out today, but Donegal All-Ireland winner Paddy McBrearty (1-6) and Armagh midfielder Ethan Rafferty (0-4), who between them provided the bulk of the scores in that win, will feature. So too will Tyrone U21 goalkeeper Sean Fox who saved a crucial penalty in the first half of a competitive tussle with ‘the Guards’.

The levels of competition are expected to increase significantly this afternoon and UU manager Barney McAleenan says he expects a “massive challenge” from the student teachers of St Mary’s.

“It’s a local derby so it’s a big challenge no matter what level you’re at whether it’s school or club or county,” said McAleenan.

“We have to deal with it and that’s one of the reasons that players love the Sigerson – it’s a local derby, knock-out, winner-takes-all… It’s a massive challenge.

“St Mary’s have been very unlucky this last couple of years. Last year they had DCU, the eventual champions, and they only beat them after extra-time. The previous year they were unlucky against DIT, who were the then champions, and they were only beaten by a point.

“Last week they beat DIT after extra-time and they have a lot of quality in their team.

“The big challenge for us is to try and get past them and if all the boys play to their potential we should be there or thereabouts.”

McAleenan praised UU physio Martin Loughran for his work with the players and at full strength ‘the Poly’ would be a match for any university team and a lot of county sides too.

“We have bits of niggles from the weekend but hopefully we’ll have everybody good to go,” he said.

“At the minute Monday is about recovery sessions and just chatting with the players because of so many matches going on at county level and the Sigerson going on as well.”