NUIG 1-6
UUJ 0-12

JASON BYRNE IN DANGAN

SIGERSON Cup hosts NUIG will not have the chance to win the famous trophy on home soil – as University of Ulster Jordanstown left it late to dump John Maughan’s side out of the competition at Dangan in Wednesday afternoon’s quarter-final.

After a rugged opening half-hour in which the sides went in level, NUIG began to dominate in the second-half but simply did not take their chances; and as a result their Ulster counterparts booked their place in the semis next weekend.

With a host of familiar names such as Donegal’s Leo McLoone, Tyrone’s Matty Donnelly and Down’s Anton McArdle, the Ulster students were favourites before throw-in but will count themselves fortunate to be in the final four.

Fiachra Deasumnaigh’s opening point for NUIG was met by resounding approval for the couple of hundred that made their way to the Corribside pitch which was heavy yet playable. Ciaran Hughes then got Jordanstown off the mark.

After just nine minutes, NUIG found the net when Sligo’s Stephen Gilmartin worked hard and Mayo ace Jason Doherty was at hand to wriggle free of a daunting full-back line to fire home.

Playing against the breeze, NUIG should have pulled further clear only for two frees in quick succession from Neil Douglas curling wide. Midway through the half, Jordanstown took over and began bossing affairs illustrated by three points on the bounce from McLoone and a Donnelly double.

Leitrim’s Kevin Conlon then entered the fold for NUIG in place of the injured Kieran Conroy, just before corner-back Laurence Kelly found himself in an unlikely forward position and composed himself well to fire over.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.