There was only two minutes left to play.
Ulster University were just two points down against NUIG in the Sigerson Cup, as the clock ticked past the 58th minute.
Substitute Sean Mulkerrin, from the Galway university then suffered a worrying-looking knee injury. With an ambulance taking more than half an hour to arrive, it was agreed amongst the teams that NUIG would be awarded a two-point victory.
As it wasn’t a straight knock out, and the schedule for these university games are incredibly compact, it was decided that this would be the best solution going forward.
Speaking to Jerome Quinn after the game, NUIG manager Maurice Sheridan, praised University of Ulster for their sportsmanship.
“There is a lot of frost on the pitch now, the lads have been hanging around there for about half an hour, but it was a very unfortunate injury for Sean Mulkerrin.
“He’s been a great player for the club, a great ambassador for the club, the university of Galway, and he was supposed to be our captain this year as well, but injury prevented him from taking part earlier in the year.
'Our thoughts are with Sean, it's not about the game' – NUIG manager Maurice Sheridan after tonight's Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup game with Ulster University was abandoned.
NUIG were awarded the win as they were leading when Sean Mulkerrin suffered an injury. @nuigalwaysport pic.twitter.com/ZnJQSgl9FG
— GAA Higher Education (@HigherEdGAA) January 12, 2022
“He played for us in the Sigerson final in 2018, so our thoughts are with are with Sean really at this stage, it’s not about the game.
“Look it’s nice to be through to the next round but I would like to say with Jordanstown as well, with the sportsmanship that they’ve shown there was absolutely fantastic, and that’s what the competition is all about.”
NUIG will now play Queen’s University in the second round.
