ATHLONE IT 2-7 UCD 0-17
UCD's John Heslin was the driving force behind UCD's progression to the quarter finals of the Sigerson Cup at the expense of Athlone IT last night, as he kicked seven points, six from play, in a comfortable win for his college over the hosts.
The St Loman’s player also dictated the play from centre forward and set up several other scoring chances, doing his best work in the second half.
Athlone missed the game’s first goal chance when Ger Egan’s penalty was saved by Eoghan Keogh in the ninth minute, but they took the second when Athlone native James Dolan finished off good approach play from Egan three minutes before half- time.
This goal succeeded only in rousing UCD from their torpor, however, and they kicked two points before the break and five in the first seven minutes of the second half to establish a 0-12 to 1-4 lead.
A close-range goal from substitute Shane Quinn gave Athlone IT a glimmer of hope with nine minutes to play, but two stunning strikes from Jack McCaffrey, either side of yet another exquisite effort from Heslin, made the game safe for the visitors.
ATHLONE IT: G Connaughton; E Kerin, D Farley, J Donoghue; L Murphy, G Egan (0-3, frees), T Mooney; C Duggan, C Shine (0-1, free); A Caul, K Martin (0-2, one free), J Mulligan; C Fitzgerald, J Dolan (1-0), A Coffey. Subs: S Quinn (1-0) for Caul (37 mins), C O'Brien for Murphy (48 mins), A Stone (0-1) for Coffey (50 mins).
UCD: E Keogh; R Wylie, R McDaid, R Tierney; C Lenehan, P Harnan, J McCaffrey (0-2); C Sheridan (0-1), M O'Hanlon; B Fenton, J Heslin (0-7, one free), M Hughes (0-2); P Mannion (0-3, two frees), J Moloney (0-1), P Kingston . Subs: R Basquel (0-1) for Kingston , P Reilly for Sheridan (both half-time), C Downey for O'Hanlon (50 mins), S McEntee for Reilly (black card, 52 mins), J Hayes for Hughes (58 mins).
Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo).
