It says a lot for the promise of this year’s Jordanstown team that they were considered favourites ahead of defending champions who boast Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey in their number.
Well, the Sigerson Cup favourites are out. Beaten by a whopping 12 points by holders UCD following a one-sided second-half in Jordanstown.
Trailing by just a point, 8-7, at half-time, the Ulster men had no answer for UCD’s attack after the break – scoring only two points as they eventually lost 1-18 to 0-9.
When you look at the spread of UCD scorers, you can see how UUJ struggled, along with Mannion (0-7), there were multiple scores for Meath speedster Eamonn Wallace (0-2), Louth Andy McDonnell (0-4) and goal-scorer Conor McCarthy (1-2).
At the other end the scoring burden fell on Donegal star Paddy McBrearty, who kicked two points from play out of a total of five.
McCaffrey turned to the Dublin side on Sunday in the win away to Cavan and did not look even slightly out of place after missing the 2016 All-Ireland triumph.
Below, in the build up to McCarthy’s goal, you get a shocking reminder of the pace the attacking wing-back possesses.
And McCarthy’s finish? Cool as the proverbial cucumber.
Videos courtesy of Jerome Quinn.
In the other quarter-final Belfast’s St Mary’s shocked hosts DCU on a scoreline of 2-14 to 2-13 after extra-time.
