Ulster University take first step in Sigerson Cup defence with a big win in Sligo

Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup round one

ATU Sligo 1-7 Ulster University 2-18

Current Sigerson Cup champions Ulster University made a big statement last night as they showed they are well capable of retaining the title this year with a comprehensive victory in Sligo against ATU Sligo.

This was the only game that was played in the opening round due to the poor weather throughout the country.

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Conor Cush opened the scoring with after eight minutes of play and by the 14th minute, UU had raced into a three-point lead with a brace coming from Danny Fullerton.

The home side eventually got off the mark with a free from Matthew Carey to cut the deficit.

The visitors then put themselves in complete control of proceedings as they scored 1-2 without reply, the goal coming on 26 minutes as Senan Carr got on the end of a fine team move.

James Donlon did reply with a free, but a point from the impressive Danny Magill ensured Ulster University led at the break by seven points.

Conor Cush opened the second-half scoring to extend the lead within a minute, but ATU Sligo’s response was almost immediate with Donlon adding a second free.

The match was put beyond doubt when Fullerton was fouled and the referee awarded a spot-kick which was expertly converted by Carrickmore man Fullerton.

ATU Sligo did try to get back into the match, firstly with a free from Carey and then a super goal from full-back Conor Johnston, who fired to the net on 39 minutes.

That would be as close as the home side would get. In the final 20 minutes, the reigning champions expressed themselves as they added a further 10 points compared to the hosts’ three points.

Magill would account for three of these scores as the Burren and Down county player was the stand-out
performer.

Paul Rouse’s men will be very pleased with the performance and will be hopeful that there is more to come from the team in the next
couple of weeks.

Ulster University: Ronan McGeehin; Dara Curran, Aaron Jones, Fionan O’Brien; Josh Largo Ellis(0-1), Eoin McEvoy, Danny Magill (0-5); Senan Carr (1-0), Oisin McCann; Charlie Diamond, Eamon Brown, Conor Crush(0-4), Ciaran Daly, Eoin McElholm(0-1), Danny Fullerton(1-3, pen, 2fs)

Subs used: Ciaran Moore for Aaron Jones ht, Lorcan McGarrity (0-2) 43; Michael Hammi (0-1) for Ciaran Daly 47; Eunan Mulholland (0-1) for Eoin McElholm 50; Ben Hughes for Eoin McEvoy 56

ATU Sligo: Cian Kilcoyne; Dylan Walsh, Conor Johnston (1-0), Richard O’Rourke; Mark Walsh, Radek Oberwan, Dillion Walsh; Kyle McCrann, Matthew Gillespie; Joseph Keaney, Matthew Carey (0-4,3fs), James Donlon (0-2,2fs); Emmanuel Shehu, Daire O’Boyle (0-1), Jack Lavin

Sub used: Jack Davitt for James Donlon 44; Favour Shehu for Kyle McCann 48; Jack Casey for Emmanuel Shehu 52; Kyle McNulty for Richard O’Rourke 55; Aaron Browne for Matthew Gillespie 58;

Referee : Liam Devenney (Mayo)