DCU defeat St Mary’s to progress to Sigerson Cup semi-final

St Mary's 0-11 DCU 1-11 (After extra-time) Three unanswered points in the second half of extra-time helped DCU advance to the semi-finals of the Sigerson Cup yesterday.

The Dublin university trailed by 0-8 to 0-3 at half-time but the straight red card dismissal of Down's Ryan Johnston for striking just before half time left St Mary's down to 14 men.

Aidan Forker’s free put St Mary’s six points ahead early in the second half before DCU reeled off 1-3 without reply to draw level, Donal Wrynn’s fisted goal after 51 minutes the crucial score.

St Mary's thought they had sealed victory late on when Thomas Canavan kicked a vital free but Roscommon's Donie Smith immediately hit a superb equaliser for DCU to tie the scores at 1-7 to 0-10.

The sides only managed one point apiece in the first half of extra time but St Mary's could not respond once DCU pressed ahead in the second period of extra time with Tadhg Lowe's 45 followed by points from Colm Begley and Simon McCoy. ST MARY'S: R Burns; A Beattie, C Clarke, H Loughran; P McBride (0-1), A Forker (0-3, onr free), C McCooey; D McBride, E Bradley; J Johnston (0-2), C McGeary, R Johnston (0-1, 45); K McKernan, M Fitzpatrick, T Canavan (0-4, three frees). Subs: J Morgan for Beattie (20 mins), N McNicholl for Canavan (44 mins), C McCann for Loughran (49 mins), B O'Hagan for Fitzpatrick (59 mins), T Canavan (Tyrone)for McNicholl (59 mins). DCU: T Lowe (0-2, two 45s); J Smith, C Boyle, C Daly; D Ward, C Moynagh (0-1), C Begley (0-1); T Flynn, S O'Brien; D O'Connor, C Meredith, D Byrne; E Smith, N Murphy, C McHugh (0-3, two frees). Subs: R Connor for Boyle (20 mins), C McGreanor (Wicklow) for O'Connor (h-t), D Wrynn (1-1) for Murphy (h-t), D Smith (0-1) for Ward (43 mins), S Carey (0-1, free) for Meredith (45 mins), S McCoy (0-1) for E Smith (55 mins), F Kelly for Flynn (64 mins), E Keane for Byrne (77 mins). Referee: Ciaran Branagan (Down)