There was a clash of the titans in the Woodlands.
Two of the favourites for the 2018 Sigerson Cup – last year’s champions St Mary’s Belfast and 8 time winners Ulster University Jordanstown battled it out on a wet and windy Belfast Wednesday in what would be both side’s first outings in this years renewal.
Predictably, there was little between the two star-studded outfits. It was tit-for-tat in a tight first half, with neither side making many mistakes.
Despite playing against the wind for that opening period, it was Ulster University who got off the mark first, with Tyrone’s Mark Bradley opening his account early on.
The reigning champs weren’t long taking advantage of the strong breeze, however. Armagh’s sharpshooting forward Oisín O’Neill was deadly from any placed balls that came his way, while the rampaging Cathal McShane was making his influence felt from midfield.
19 mins- McShane rattles the Jordanstown crossbar and McAnespie points at the other end. Niall Toner and O’Neill with two fine scores.
St Mary’s 0-07 UUJ 0-04— St Mary's SU (@StMarysBelfast) January 31, 2018
Up front, Niall Toner and O’Neill pointed and that shot them into a 0-7 0-4 lead after 24 first half minutes. Ulster University steadied the ship before the break, with Tyrone’s Lee Brennan displaying his accuracy from placed balls.
The wind-assisted St Mary’s held a one point lead going into the interval, with the scores at 0-7 0-6, but they would be up against the elements in the second half.
UUJ made them pay and got a run on the teacher training college early on in the last 30. Lee Brennan was taking every chance that came his way, while Derry man Danny Tallon and Mark Bradley raised white flags.
From there, they never looked back and went on to win by five, despite a late consolation goal from Oisín O’Neill.
Last year’s champions are gone, while UUJ will face UL in next week’s quarter final.
UUJ team.
St Mary’s team.
