Sigerson Cup - semi-final
UUJ 0-18 IT SLIGO 1-11
IN truth IT Sligo could have few complaints about the eventual result as their hopes of reaching the final of this season’s Sigerson Cup were cruelly dashed by a physically stronger University of Ulster, Jordanstown, in a tense battle played in Belfast on Friday afternoon.
After their recent heroics in winning the FBD League final as well as some storming comebacks to earn their place in this semi-final IT Sligo found this obstacle too difficult to negotiate and despite getting off to a good start - something they hadn’t achieved in the competition up to now - they were by far the second best team on show with Jordanstown’s ten second half wides alone evidence of what side were in control.
However, the fact that IT Sligo forced the game to extra-time is testament to the wonderful character of a side that many felt had all the hallmarks required to regain this most coveted title and whilst they didn’t lift the silverware they may have had a say in the destiny of the title as the winners ended up being beaten by the narrowest of margins by Queens University in Saturday’s final.
The lashing rain did little to enhance the prospects of the quality football many expected but IT Sligo started smartly and with some fast-flowing passing football set about firing over three unanswered points in the opening eight minutes with Michael Doherty and Andy Moran amongst the early scorers for the north west outfit. At the other end UUJ finally got off the mark when Antrim inter-county player Michael Herron made the most of some sloppy defending to shoot over.
That score certainly had a settling affect on the winners and two points in quick succession from Paul Cunningham and Pakie Downey left the sides level at the end of an interesting opening quarter. It was clear to see that UUJ’s physical advantage was going to be a problem for IT Sligo but despite this the losers kept to their own game plan and continued to find scores when they needed them with Michael Doherty and Moran again on target to keep them level with just seconds of the half remaining.
Just as it looked the sides would end the half locked together on the scoreboard IT Sligo stuck for an excellent goal when Doherty evaded his marker superbly to take an Alan Costello pass in his stride and blast the ball past McAllister in the Jordanstown goal to give IT Sligo a 1-6 to 0-6 half time advantage.
The winners began the second half as IT Sligo had begun the first with three unanswered points from Cunningham (2) and Darren Hughes to resort parity once more. It was at this point that UUJ took control of the game but found it virtually impossible to score from play as numerous opportunities were kicked wide of the target.
UUJ were also guilty of missing a guilt-edge goal when Cunningham - who was accurate from placed balls - shot wide of a gaping goal with the Sligo defence completely out of position. This let off appeared to awake IT Sligo and points from Moran and Brendan McElvaney put them back in front.
However, in a game that ebbed and flowed in more ways than one, Jordanstown again fought their way back into contention and two points from Lynch levelled the contest for the seventh time. With time running out IT Sligo again seized the initiative with a Costello point in the dying stages looking as though it might be enough to win the day but Cunningham kept his cool with virtually the last kick of the game to tie the game at 0-12 to 1-9 and force extra time.
The fact that IT Sligo failed to register a single score in the first period of extra time was due to the complete dominance of UUJ at midfield and as Sligo’s limbs began to tire a brace of points from both Lynch and Mulgrew left the Ulster college in a commanding 0-16 to 1-9 lead after the first ten-minute period.
Within two minutes of the restart UUJ were reduced to fourteen when Cunningham was sent off for a second bookable offence but not even numerical advantage could force IT Sligo to find the physical strength needed to unhinge a solid Jordanstown defence.
In fairness IT Sligo outscored the winners in the final period with Doherty and Regan shooting over points but the last score of the game fell to Jordanstowns captain Lynch who slotted over his sixth point of the game from 30-metres to send them through to a final that they ultimately lost.
SCORERS - UUJ: M. Lynch 0-6, P. Cunningham 0-5, R. Mulgrew 0-3, M. Herron, P. Downey, R. Murray and D. Hughes 0-1 each. IT Sligo: M. Doherty 1-3, A. Moran and A. Costello 0-3 each, C. Boyle, B. Ryan and B. McElvaney 0-1 each.
UUJ: M. McAlister; R. Murray, J. Conlan, F. Moriarty; P. Mooney, P. Donnelly, D. Hughes; J. Colgan, J. Bradley; M. Herron, J. Boyle, R. Mulgrew; P. Cunningham, P. Downey, M. Lynch. Subs: C. Cavanagh for Downey, D. McCaul for Conlan, M. McCann for Boyle, B. Boggs for Herron and B. O’Brien for Donnelly.
IT SLIGO: P. Durcan; K. Lacey, B. McWeeney, S. McDermott; C. Boyle, A. O’Flynn, S. Mulligan; B. McElvaney, J. McCarthy; R. O’Connor, A. Costello, J. Davey; B. Regan, A. Moran, M. Doherty. Subs: T. Parsons for McCarthy, E. Cawley for McElvaney.
