Cork IT 1-15 Dublin IT 1-10: Cork IT celebrated an historic first Sigerson Cup title amid memorable scenes on their own patch after a performance that merited their win over Dublin IT in today's final.
It was a special day for the club’s long-serving officer, Keith Ricken, who also coached the team.
“It’s being a long-time coming for our club, which is 30 years old. We weren’t allowed compete for a while, but it’s a very emotional day for us all.
“I told the players before the game they were the best group ever to wear the red and white jersey and I knew we were going to win, even after the slow start. I was always confident,” he said.
Despite conceding 1-3 inside the opening five minutes, Kevin McManamon scored a goal from Martin Reilly’s precise pass, Cork IT settled to dominate the rest of the wind-assisted half.
Cork star Daniel Goulding gave a master class from placed balls, scoring eight in all, to help his side lead 0-10 to 1-4, though Colm O’Neill and Paul Kerrigan missed clear-cut goal scoring chances.
Dublin IT began the second-half on top, Niall Coughlan and Darragh Walsh sharing four points to reclaim the advantage only for the hosts wrestle back control.
A superb Shane McCarthy goal after 36 minutes eased nerves as CIT added 0-3 without replay, but they needed goalkeeper Liam Sheehan to deny Coughlan three minutes from the end before pulling away once more.
CIT centre-back Aidan O’Sullivan was named man of the match.
CORK IT: L Sheehan; A Fenton, R Carey, N Galvin; S O'Donoghue, A O'Sullivan, C O'Driscoll; S O'Hare, P O'Flynn, (0-1), captain; G Sayers (0-2), P Kerrigan (0-2), S McCarthy (1-0); D Goulding (0-9, eight frees, one '45), C O'Neill (0-1), S Cahalane. Subs: J Fitzpatrick for McCarthy 58 mins, R Leahy for O'Neill 59 mins
DUBLIN IT: E Sommerville; M Burke, K McLoughlin, N O'Shea; D Hughes, R Glavin, B Flanagan; J Coughlan (0-1), P O'Neill; M Reilly (0-1), D Reilly, P Flynn (0-1); D Walsh (0-2), C Daly (0-1), K McManamon (1-2, one free). Subs: D Graham for Flynn and N Coughlan (0-2, one free) for Daly half-time, E Gaffney for Walsh 51 mins, B O'Loughlin for 58 mins
Referee: M Deegan (Laois)