University of Limerick edge out DCU to claim Sigerson Cup semi-final berth

It may be the sign of champions, we will have to see, but University of Limerick, for the second round in a row, managed to find themselves on the right side of a one-point game. This time, it was to progress to the last four of the Sigerson Cup, which they’ve yet to win, despite their consistency in recent years.

Declan Brouder has moulded a decent side and despite never trailing on home turf, they were pushed all the way by a gallant DCU effort. Racing into a 0-4 to no score lead after just five minutes, it looked extremely good for UL in the early exchanges.

A brace of Frank Irwin efforts, as well as points from Clare pair, Daniel Walsh and Ciarán Downes, gave them the early advantage. It was out to five by the quarter mark but DCU finished the half-strongly.

By the interval, it was 0-7 to 0-6 in favour of the Limerick side, but there was three points from Shane O’Donnell as well as scores from Ruairi Keane and Joseph Hagan to keep those in yellow in touch.

UL did lose skipper Mark Dempsey to a black card, and were level from that free. But they would answer this 10 minute spell with three points of their own, as Paul Keaney proved his worth from frees.

Senan Baker made an immediate impact from the bench, denied a goal initially, he came back a few minutes later to flick to the net to level this clash.

Again, UL were quick to answer, again in the shape of three points. Two more Keaney frees and then a well taken Irwin effort pushed them towards the winning line – DCU couldn’t get closer than a point and a counter-attacking effort from Cian O’Grady was the insurance score.

Scorers – University of Limerick: J Keaney 0-5 (0-4 frees); F Irwin 0-3; C Downes 0-2; D Walsh, C Glennon, S McDonnell, C O’Grady 0-1 each. Dublin City University: S Baker 1-1; S O’Donnell 0-3; S Walsh 0-2 (frees); M Costello, R Keane, J Hagan, K Quinn 0-1 each.

University of Limerick: C Flaherty; C Moriarty, M Dempsey (C), C Keogh; D Cashman, C Glennon, D Walsh; C Ryan, B McNamara; F Irwin, P Keaney, S McDonnell; P Walsh, J McCabe, C Downes. Subs: E O’Riordan for Glennon (43); C McHale for McDonnell (46); L Murphy for P Walsh (51); C O’Grady for McCabe (60), J Fallon for Downes (62).

Dublin City University: C McGuinness; B Masterson, S Fitzgerald, J Grant; R Keane, P Hughes, C Caulfield; M Costello, R Donohoe; S O’Donnell, S Walsh, K McGann; K Quinn, J Hagan, C Corbett.

Sigerson Cup semi-final draw

UCD v UL

Maynooth v UUJ

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