ULSTER UNIVERSITY boss Martin McHugh has an embarrassment of starstudded riches to invest in the hunt for Sigerson Cup glory, but he insists his most valuable asset is team spirit.
A squad stacked with county stars will challenge for a first title since 2008 in the new year, buoyed by Ryan Cup success earlier this week. A depleted side saw off DCU after extra-time at Inniskeen, displaying levels of character and determination that delighted their manager.
“People might say there’s big names in Jordanstown, but it’s not about big names, it’s not about the players who were missing, it’s about the performance of the players on the field and they showed great character and heart,” he said.
“When we were three points down it looked bad, but we had two good periods of extra-time. “I think that extra-time will stand to the players and will stand to their level of fitness for their counties as well.”
McHugh, who led IT Sligo to Sigerson success in 2002, has endeavoured to develop a club atmosphere among the UU squad since taking on the job in October. And he saw his efforts come to fruition as the Jordanstown students came from behind to beat their Dublin opponents 1-15 to 0-13.
“The big thing in that game was the spirit that we showed when we looked like we had the game lost. That’s the spirit that I have seen in different teams down through the years, we saw the great Meath team that always showed that spirit, they were never beaten.”
Armagh’s Ethan Rafferty scored the crucial goal on Wednesday evening, while Paddy McBrearty nailed seven points. Other county players involved were McHugh’s son Ryan, Down’s Niall Madine, Eoin Donnelly of Fermanagh, Tyrone’s Frank Burns, Antrim pair Niall McKeever and Ricky Johnston and Gareth McKinless of Derry.
The panel will be bolstered by the addition of Tyrone trio Mark Bradley, Rory Brennan and Pádraig Hampsey, Eoin McHugh of Donegal and Monaghan duo Kieran Hughes and Ryan McAnespie.
McHugh said: “This is an Ulster team. We have eight counties in Ulster represented in this team.
“We have players coming back, but I don’t think it’s about names. It’s important for the players that they want to play at this level, it’s about spirit and quality.”
