UCD’s Freshers, Intermediate and Senior Footballers all recorded win in their respective All Ireland League quarter and semi finals last week.
Senior Football
Ryan Cup Quarter Final
Sligo IT 1-8
UCD 1-12
A dominant first half display led the platform to the Senior Footballers winning away to Sligo IT in their League quarterfinal. David Larkin finished off a fine move after a direct run and assist by Kevin McLoughlin just before the break and John Heslin pointed from frees. Sligo couldn’t contain the fast moving game UCD were playing and were reduced to 14 men before half time with Eugene Keating receiving two yellow cards in quick succession for poor tackling. The first half ended 1-7 0-1.
In the second half, viagra however, UCD allowed their stronghold to be relinquished as a spirited Sligo side fought their way back into the game with 1-5 without reply. Poor turnovers and defensive indiscipline from UCD gave Sligo opportunities to convert from close range. However, UCD rallied with 10 minutes remaining to ensure the win. Rory O’Carroll was imperious and centre half back and John Heslin had 0-3 from play including vital insurance scores.
UCD will host the semi-finals of the Ryan Cup this Thursday.
They take on St. Marys at 4pm followed by DIT vs Queens University Belfast at 6pm in the other semi-final.
UCD team v Sligo IT: E Keogh; J Hayes, G Ryan, C McHugh; C Lenehan, R O’Carroll, L Keaney; C Dias, J Heslin; S Cadden, D Larkin, K McLoughlin; C Downey, D Kingston, R Basquel
Subs used- C Boyle, C Carty
Intermediate Football
All Ireland League Quarter Final
UCD 2-12
QUB 0-8
The Intermediate Footballers overcame a limited Queen’s side at Belfield. A strong third quarter spell inspired by centre half forward Eugene McGrath gave UCD an unassailable lead after outstanding defending throughout.
The Intermediates went through the group stages of the league undefeated and their form showed with a confident and fast flowing display of attacking football. Queen’s had their only lead of the game in the first 5 minutes after two frees from Ronan McGrady. UCD responded immediately with 1-1 from Paddy Reilly, the goal a rasping shot into the right hand corner of the net after a lay off from the pacy Cormac Boyle. Boyle himself had a goal chance minutes later which was well saved. Ronan McGrady and Eugene McGrath exchanged points before Colm Driver fisted over just before the break to leave the score 1-4 0-4.
After the interval UCD upped their intensity and blew Queen’s away with a 20 minute Blitzkrieg on the Queens defence. The half time introduction of wing half forward Anthony Mulligan paid off immediately after his long ball fed Eugene McGrath who buried a goal effort into the bottom corner. Corner backs Michael Durcan and Ciaran McConnell marauded forward at will and both chipped in with points to supplement the efforts of playmaker McGrath, who pointed from a 45 and assisted Cormac Boyle within two minutes of each other.
Man of the match McGrath pointed twice more a few minutes later after incisive running from midfielder Dan Wood and Niall Collins at the dead beat Queens defence. The Belfast team went 25 minutes without scoring in the second half as UCD were first to every ball. They did manage 4 late consolation scores from Ronan McGrady (2), Cormac McGrady and JJ McClean however it was immaterial to the result.
UCD team v QUB: JB Carty; M Durcan (0-1), A English, C McConnell (0-1); M O’Dwyer, M McGinley, S McWeeney; M Dineen, D Wood; C Boyle (0-1), E McGrath (1-6), A Murphy, P Reilly (1-1), C Driver (0-1), N Collins.
Subs used- S Newcombe, A Mulligan, A Duke (0-1), G Mahon, N Comey.
Freshers ‘A’ Football All Ireland League Semi Final
UCD 5-20
Carlow IT 1-7
UCD Freshers lived up to their billing as favourites for the All Ireland League after obliterating Carlow IT at Belfield. The gulf in talent was there for all to see as a hugely talented Freshers team blew Carlow out of the water and had built up a 4-5 to 1-0 lead after 18 minutes. Notable performers were wing half back Jack McCaffrey, full forward Paul Kingston and midfielder Philip Quirke. They play DCU in the final this Wednesday 21st November at Parnell Park at 7pm.
UCD team v Carlow IT: P Gallagher; T O’Sullivan, D Byrne, M MacDonnacha; J McCaffrey (0-2), P Harnan, S McEntee; D Murphy, P Quirke (2-1); L Kelly (1-0), N Kelly (0-1), J Turbitt (0-1); P Mannion (1-4), P Kingston (0-4), S Kilcoyne (1-3)
Subs used- G Murphy, R Rafferty, R Wylie, C Divney, S Murray (0-2), C O’Neill, C Courtney, R Tone (0-1), P Leonard, F Ward (0-1), D Campbell
By Conall Devlin
