Gaelic Games

DCU emerge past Ulster University in extra-time to make Sigerson Cup final

Johnny McGroddy produced the super sub cameo as the 2020 champions eventually turned the screw

Ulster University’s Ryan Magill and Eoghan O'Connor Flanagan of DCU. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Ulster University’s Ryan Magill and Eoghan O'Connor Flanagan of DCU. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Paul Keane
Thu Feb 06 2025 - 22:24
Sigerson Cup semi-final: DCU 0-14 Ulster University 0-10 (AET)

Johnny McGroddy produced the super sub cameo in Cavan as DCU braved extra-time to advance to the Sigerson Cup final.

The Donegal man fired the point that took the game to extra-time and then added three more as the 2020 champions eventually turned the screw.

Darragh Swords, Alex Gavin and captain Ciaran Caulfield were also on the mark in extra-time with crucial points as DCU dumped out the holders.

Their reward is a Dublin derby date with UCD in next Wednesday evening’s final when they will challenge for a sixth title.

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DCU hit TUS Midlands for 4-14 in last week’s quarter-final win but ran into a well drilled and defensively sound Ulster University side this time.

The Dubliners struggled for scores initially and after a cautious first 10 minutes were suddenly assaulted with four points in a row by Ulster University.

Down’s Danny Magill hit a terrific score from the left wing in that mini blitz of scoring to leave the northerners 0-5 to 0-1 up.

Surprisingly, they only scored once more in the half as DCU finally found their feet, reeling off four points themselves between the 22nd and 28th minutes.

Ronan McCaffrey, who was brought into the Ulster University team along with Eoin McElholm and Lorcan McGarrity, edged his team 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at half-time with a beauty from the left wing.

It wasn’t a classic though as both sides played a cautious counter-attacking game. Luke Marren won and converted a DCU free in the 38th minute to tie it up at 0-6 apiece and they were level again at 0-7 each.

Not even the introduction of Dublin star Lorcan O’Dell, who netted last week, could inspire DCU for whom McGroddy forced extra-time at 0-8 to 0-8.

Downings clubman McGroddy was terrific in the additional 20 minutes, tagging on three more points while Ulster University lost McElholm to a late red card.

DCU: E McGuinness (Longford); E O’Connor Flanagan (Dublin), A Gavin (Dublin) (0-1), B Masterson (Longford); L Deignan (Sligo), R Gallagher (Donegal), C Caulfield (Meath) (0-2); G McEneaney (Dublin), E Dunne (Dublin) (0-1); C Heffernan (Laois), R Donoghue (Cavan), C Dolan (Dublin) (0-1); L Marren (Sligo) (0-4, 2f), N Dolan (Kildare), T Prior (Leitrim).

Subs: L O’Dell (Dublin) for Donoghue 36, E Ward (Roscommon) for Deignan 40, D Swords (Kildare) (0-1) for N Dolan 44, J McGroddy (Donegal) (0-4) for C Dolan 52. L Glennon (Roscommon) for McEneaney 59. J Tumulty (Roscommon) for Marren 65, D Joyce (Mayo) for Masterson h/t e/t, E Crowe (Cavan) for Gavin 82.

Ulster University: R McGeehin (Donegal); L Kelly (Monaghan), R Magill (Down), F O’Brien (Fermanagh); J Largo Ellis (Fermanagh) (0-1), E McEvoy (Derry) (0-1), D Magill (Down) (0-1); O Murdock (Down), O McCann (Tyrone); C Diamond (Derry), R McCaffrey (Fermanagh) (0-3), C Daly (Tyrone); E McElholm (Tyrone) (0-2), C Cush (Tyrone), L McGarrity (Tyrone) (0-1).

Subs: E Brown (Down) for McCann 46, D Fullerton (Tyrone) (0-1) for McGarrity 52, C O’Neill (Armagh) for Cush 55, B Cullen (Tyrone) for R Magill 58. E Mulholland (Derry) for D Magill 71, S Carr (Down) for Largo Ellis (76).

Referee: N Mooney (Cavan).