Ulster University hit late points to book semi-final spot

Sigerson Cup quarter-final

Ulster University 0-12 Maynooth 0-10

By Michael McMullan
in Jordanstown

TWO late points saw reigning champions Ulster University book their semi-final spot after hard fought victory over Maynooth on Wednesday in Jordanstown.

When Meath’s Eoghan Frayne nailed a 60th minute free, extra time was looming but the home side got a final foothold in the game.

A patient move of play ended with Eoin McElholm playing in fellow substitute Lorcan McGarrity to curl over the bar.

Result #SigersonCup 1/4 final@UlsterUniGAA 0-12@MaynoothUniGAA 0-10

This point from Lorcan McGarrity put UU one up with Conor Cush adding his sixth point to ensure victory

Very tight game

Semi final draw in the morning pic.twitter.com/cZCM11ujPI

— Michael McMullan (@malmcmullan) January 29, 2025

When UU won the next kick-out, they tagged on an insurance score with Conor Cush notching his sixth of the game.

The sides were level eight times over the game and were locked at 0-7 each at half-time.

It was the visitors’ use of the wind in the first half that saw Frayne lead the charge with points.

UU captain Ryan Magill and Eoin McEvoy got forward for points into the wind. It was Cush and Fionan O’Brien who hit the last two scores of the opening half.

Ciarán Daly edged UU ahead early in the second half but it was Maynooth who had the monopoly of possession in the third quarter but nicking 0-2 from nine shots. It looked like they wouldn’t win the game without a goal.

UU were never behind since a Cush equaliser late in the first half but the game was destined for extra time until they edged into the last four.

They join TUD and UCD in Thursday morning’s draw with DCU and TUS Midlands meeting in the last of the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

Scorers

UU: C Cush 0-6 (5f), R Magill, E McEvoy, F O’Brien, C Daly, L McGarrity and J Largo Elis 0-1 each

Maynooth: E Frayne 0-5 (2f), L Crowley 0-2, P McDermott, S O’Hare and R Burke 0-1 each

UU: R McGeehin (Donegal); D Curran (Tyrone), L Kelly (Monaghan), F O’Brien (Fermanagh); J Largo Elis (Fermanagh), E McEvoy (Derry), D Magill (Down); O Murdock (Down), O McCann (Tyrone); C Diamond (Derry), E Mulholland (Derry), R Magill (Down); C Cush (Tyrone); C Daly (Tyrone), D Fullerton (Tyrone)
Subs: M Hamill (Monaghan) for Mulholland (35), L McGarrity (Tyrone) for Fullerton (35), E McElholm (Tyrone) for Daly (43), C O’Neill (Armagh) for Diamond (43), R McCaffrey (Fermanagh) for Magill (52)

Maynooth: E Sheehan (Kildare); R Burke (Kildare), T McPhillips (Monaghan), B O’Halloran (Meath); S O’Hare (Meath), T Moran (Wicklow), J Harris (Kildare); C Gray (Meath), C Duke (Meath); P McDermott (Kildare), E Frayne (Meath), S Emmanuel (Meath); L Crowley (Kerry), H Plunkett (Offaly), K McArdle (Louth)
Sub: R Teahan for Emmanuel (58)

Yellow cards: C Gray (57), S O’Hare (63)

Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone)