You’d just have to feel for the NUIG lads.
UCD are the Sigerson Cup champions.
John Divilly’s side defeated NUIG by one point on a scoreline of 1-13 to 2-9 in Santry on Saturday afternoon to claim the colleges’ 34th ever title.
Maurice Sheridan’s Galway college had led for much of the game, with second half goals from Adam Gallagher and Sean Kelly twice handing them the upper hand.
But UCD never gave in. They stayed patient, never panicked and picked their opponents off for some class scores of their own.
With 7 minutes remaining, NUIG held a two point lead, but Tipperary senior Liam Casey proved to be the hero for the south Dublin college as he scored two points in the closing stages of the game, including a fisted winner.
There was drama aplenty in North Dublin. Kieran Molloy took everyone by surprise when he came on as a substitute in the 38th minute of the game.
He had played in an All-Ireland semi-final for his club Corofin earlier in the day. That match went on until 3.25. Just an hour later, and after 100km via a Garda escort, the long haired wing back entered the fray for his college.
That shows how much it meant to this college, this tribe, this family. It also hammers home how sickening it will be for them to lose after this amazing journey.
But UCD could hardly be begrudged of the victory.
Conor McCarthy was again imperious for his side. The majestic Monaghan half forward slotted a few tremendous scores worthy of winning any game in this one.
We could see scores like this because of TG4, and their tremendous coverage of the game on a livestream. Fair play to them.
VIDEO CREDIT: TG4.
Conor Mullally made interception after block from corner back while Mayo’s Stephen Coen manned the centre well. Their Kerry duo in the midfield probably shaded the battle of the middle third and each of those individual performances and more laid the foundations for this victory.
That being said, it could have went either way. Damien Comer was at times unplayable at full forward. He gave Cillian O’Shea a torrid afternoon with his unique mix of lightening pace, raw animal power and skill shining out.
Alongside him, Sean Kelly never stopped probing. Ronan O’Toole made a big impact when he came on.
The moment of a GAA year nearly occurred in the 56th minute of the game when that man Molloy, just out of the Garda car, raced down the wing and nearly scored a point to put NUIG two up and coasting.
He was one of @CorofinGAA's key players in their victory earlier today. He shouldn't have to do this, but the heart and appetite of some of our GAA players means they just can't help themselves https://t.co/P4O92yW0yu
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) February 17, 2018
Only the post denied him. Nothing else could deny that lion heart today.
VIDEO CREDIT: TG4.
UCD, to their credit kicked on. Tipperary’s Liam Casey showed true leadership and he was the eventual matchwinner.
NUIG went down, but from Molloy to their last substitute, these lads can hold their heads high, because they’ve done themselves and their colleges so, so proud.
