Sigerson Cup Final – UCC 0-10 UUJ 0-9

University College Cork defeated the University of Ulster Jordanstown by 0-10 to 0-9 in the Irish Daily Mail Sigerson Cup Final on Saturday February 22nd at Queen’s University Belfast.

UCC win Sigerson Cup in thrilling finale

Report from the GAA.ie web site 

IDM Sigerson Cup Final: University College Cork 0-10 University of Ulster, Jordanstown 0-9

UCC are the 2014 Sigerson Cup champions are coming out on top in a dramatic final against UUJ at Queens on Saturday evening. The Cork side lead 0-9 to 0-2 heading into the final quarter but seven unanswered points from UUJ drew the Jordanstown side level, and set up a thrilling finale. However, Conor Dorman made himself a hero as he ended the scoreless streak to kick the winner for UCC in the dying stages. It was a special night for UCC boss Billy Morgan, with the legendary former Cork goalkeeper hailing his young charges for winning a competition he was first involved with 50 years ago as a player.

UCC advanced to the final on Friday with a gutsy victory over NUI Maynooth, advancing despite having just 13 men for the closing stages of the game, and they overcame the odds again on Saturday, defeating a star-studded UUJ side. UCC lead 0-6 to 0-2 at the interval, making the most of UUJ’s struggles against the wind. UUJ were playing against a strong gale in the first half but they were totally ill-equipped to deal with it, kicking a large number of poor wides. UCC on the other hand, had no such problems in front of goal, with Conor Cox negotiating the difficult conditions with a number of excellent frees. He kicked five of his side’s six first half points.

UCC powered further clear in the third quarter, with a superb point from Luke Connolly pushing them into a seven point lead with 15 minutes remaining. However, UUJ finally began to play some quality football as the finish loomed, and they reeled off seven points without reply in a short space of time. Conor McAliskey, Ronan O’Neill and Kieran Hughes all fired over to reduce the deficit, and then O’Neill kicked his fourth point of the game to level the sides up with time almost up. It was a spectacular comeback from UUJ, and with a minute or so remaining, they looked like the more likely winners. However, Dorman steamed up the right wing in his side’s last attack and had a go from distance. His shot curled over the bar with a strong wind behind it, and UCC were champions, repeating their most recent triumph of 2011, when they also defeated UUJ in the decider.

***

Scorers for UCC: Conor Cox 0-6 (5f), Tom Clancy, Michael Quinlivan, Luke Connolly, Conor Dorman 0-1 each.

Scorers for UUJ: Ronan O’Neill 0-4 (2f), Kieran Hughes 0-2 (2f), Rory Beggan (0-1 ’45), Matthew Donnelly, Conor McAliskey 0-1 each.

UCC: Brian Kelly (Kerry); David Culhane (Kerry), Eoin O’Mahony (Cork), Fergal McNamara (Kerry); Tom Clancy (Cork), Conor Dorman (Cork), Brian Shanahan (Cork); David Nation (Cork), Ian Maguire (Cork); Luke Connolly (Cork), Sean Keane (Kerry), Brian O’Driscoll (Cork); Conor Cox (Kerry), Michael Quinlivan (Tipperary), Paul Geaney (Kerry).

UUJ: Rory Beggan (Monaghan); Barry Tierney (Tyrone), Chrissy McKaigue (Derry), Dean McNally (Tyrone); Luke Keaney (Donegal), Colin Walshe (Monaghan), Killian Clarke (Cavan); Matthew Donnelly (Tyrone), Nial McKeever (Antrim); Kieran Hughes (Monaghan), Ronan O’Neill (Tyrone), Danny Savage (Down); Jamie Clarke (Armagh), Caolan O’Boyle (Derry), Conor McAlliskey (Tyrone).