DCU Dóchas Éireann 3–14 vs 0-05 Queens University
DCU Dóchas Éireann were comprehensive winners for the second week running in the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup after a ruthless first half display, rampant with aggressive, direct football, ensured a comfortable 18-point victory for the 2020 champions.
This second round tie, rescheduled for the third time this week due to frozen and unplayable pitches, can be described as the game that just did not want to be played. Unfortunately for Queens the game was played and to compound their misery they conceded home advantage and were forced to make late
travel arrangements to Dublin.
Galway’s Robert Finnerty starred for DCU, hitting 2-03 for Paddy Christie’s men, whilst Keelin McGann produced a highly impressive 1-02 from wing back. Notably Dublin senior Lorcan O’Dell was in great form, as was goalkeeper David O’Hanlon, whilst Shane Walsh put in a great shift in front of Meath
manager Colm O Rourke who was in attendance.
DCU were in dreamland as they found themselves 2-01 to no score to the good in the first 3 minutes after goals from the unplayable Finnerty and excellent McGann. Rory Donnelly registered Queens first point of the contest soon after.
Liam Downey saw black for Queens after a high challenge after 15 minutes and once Finnerty grabbed his second goal of the evening before half time, a tidy chip over Brian Cassidy in goals, DCU were out of sight at the break 3-08 to 0-02.
DCU did roll their bench in the second half with substitutes Johnny McGroddy and David Lacey both getting on the scoresheet. Former Offaly U20 star Jack Bryant also featured for the first time this campaign. Queens midfielder Callum O’Hare was sent off late on for the visitors whilst Matthew Costello closed out the scoring for DCU in what was a comfortable night for the hosts.
Scorers for DCU Dóchas Éireann: Robert Finnerty 2-03 (3f); Keelin McGann 1-02, Shane Walsh 0-03 (3f); Conor Corbett (f), David Lacey (f), Matthew Costello (f), Bill Carroll, Shane O’Donnell, Johnny McGroddy 0-01 each.
Scorers for Queens University: Luke Donnelly (f), Rory Donnelly (f) 0-02 each; Peter McGrane 0-01.
DCU Dóchas Éireann: David O’Hanlon (Dublin); Tomas Crean (Roscommon), Paudie Hughes (Wexford), Jamie Grant (Donegal); Matthew Costello (Meath), PJ Masterson (Longford), Keelin McGann (Longford); Bill Carroll (Offaly), Kevin Quinn (Wicklow); Shane O’Donnell (Donegal), Shane Walsh (Meath), Alex Beirne
(Naas); Lorcan O’Dell (Dublin), Conor Corbett (Cork), Robert Finnerty (Galway).
Subs: Jack Bryant (Offaly), Johnny McGroddy (Donegal), Luke Glennon-Boyle (Roscommon), David Lacey (Dublin), Mark Cully (Kildare).
Queens University: Brian Cassidy (Derry); Sean McCarthy (Armagh), Lorcan McBride (Tyrone), Patrick McCarthy (Down); Rory Donnelly (Tyrone), Ardan McAvoy (Down), Liam Downey (Derry); Tiernan Bogue (Fermanagh), Callum O’Hare (Armagh); Dan Higgins (Derry), Patrick Finnegan (Antrim), Kealan Friel
(Derry); Diarmuid Baker (Derry), Oran Mallon (Tyrone), Luke Donnelly (Tyrone).
Subs: Peter McGrane (Armagh), Fintan Canavan (Down), Padraig Clancy (Down), James O’Hara (Armagh), Eoin McGeehin (Donegal).
Harry Byrne at St. Claire’s
Image Credit: Kyran O’Brien