Football

Champions DCU collide with Ulster University in Sigerson

Shane Carey has been the leading scorer for DCU in the Sigerson Cup. The Scotstown and Monaghan star has scored 3-13 in two games
Shane Carey has been the leading scorer for DCU in the Sigerson Cup. The Scotstown and Monaghan star has scored 3-13 in two games Shane Carey has been the leading scorer for DCU in the Sigerson Cup. The Scotstown and Monaghan star has scored 3-13 in two games

Sigerson Cup semi-final: Ulster University v Dublin City University


(Friday, Jordanstown, 3pm)

AFTER his side saw off IT Carlow in the quarter-final, DCU manager Niall Moyna reflected on how he’d yet to see “a handy game” in the Sigerson Cup.

Moyna’s men were expected to beat Carlow with a bit to spare but, in the end, the game was a lot tighter than the final score - 0-14 to 0-7 - suggests. Down native Moyna is braced for an even tougher test in Friday’s semi-final against Ulster University - he rates ‘the Poly’ as the team to beat this weekend.

“If you’re not in, you can’t win,” he said after the win at IT Carlow sealed a spot in the last-four.

“We’re going to put in the best performance we possibly can. We are up against the hosts and the favourites, but we’ve been there before and we welcome those sorts of challenges.”

Defending champions DCU had no difficulty blowing away Athlone IT in round one. With emerging Monaghan star Shane Carey leading the way with 3-6, DCU ran out 6-14 to 1-7 winners. Carey scored seven points in the quarter-final victory in Carlow and, though it wasn’t as convincing as their previous outing, Moyna felt the game would have done his players no harm.

“Carlow had some phenomenal footballers out there - big strong guys who could play football so, on reflection, I am saying: That was a great game for us and hopefully it will stand to us next weekend,” he explained.

“We were pushed to the pin of our collars. Maybe we pulled away a bit in the second-half with our fitness and the bench that we have. I said to the boys before the game: ‘Every game is unique, every single time you go out, it’s a unique challenge. Every team rises to the challenge and I’ve yet to see a handy game in the Sigerson'.”

Moyna’s UU counterpart Barney McAleenan described DCU as “a very well organised, very fluid team": “They’re big, strong and well balanced,” he added and their roster makes for impressive reading.

Cavan’s Conor Moynagh and Laois pair Stephen Attride and Colm Begley marshal the defence, while Shane Carthy (Dublin) and Stephen O’Brien (Tipperary) are a formidable partnership in midfield. The forward unit includes Carey, Diarmuid O’Connor (Mayo), Mickey Quinn (Longford), Davy Byrne (Dublin), Enda Smith (Roscommon) and Conor McGraynor, whose last-gasp point sealed victory in last year’s final against UCC. Dublin’s Conor McHugh and Roscommon’s Ultan Harney are very useful options on the bench.

Of course, Ulster University also have a host of inter-county names, with Donegal’s Paddy McBrearty probably the pick of a talented bunch that also includes Cavan's Killian Clarke, who may well be dispatched to pick up Carey. There is also Richard Donnelly and Ronan O’Neill (Tyrone), Kieran Hughes (Monaghan), Niall McKeever (Antrim) and Ryan McHugh (Donegal).

Manager McAleenan is hopeful Ethan Rafferty (hamstring) and Frank Burns (flu) will play some part on Friday afternoon: “Ethan is a concern at this stage,” he said.

“Hopefully he is able to play some part and Frank has the flu, so hopefully he recovers in time. The boys have made a tremendous effort this year and they have managed to balance their studies and county commitments. There’s no doubt that they will represent the jersey and Jordanstown with pride.

“They are set for the match - DCU have improved and we’ll have to see how much we have improved by tomorrow.”