Aits sigerson cup hopes ended by ucd once again
UCD 0-15 Athlone IT 0-7
For the second year in a row, Athlone IT have been knocked out of the Sigerson Cup by UCD.
And just like last year, Westmeath’s John Heslin was to the fore for the Dublin side, scoring eight points when the sides met in Belfield yesterday afternoon (Tuesday).
Dublin speed merchant Jack McCaffrey – who operated at centre-forward despite being better known as a wing-back – was also a key figure for the home side.
AIT defeated Trinity College Dublin in the previous round last week - see report in this week's Westmeath Independent - but UCD were always going to represent a significant step-up in quality.
Trailing by 0-1 to 0-8 at half-time, AIT had a mountain to climb in the second half and they just couldn’t make sufficient inroads into UCD’s lead.
AIT’s only score in the first half was a point from a free from Westmeath’s Ger Egan, though midfielder Michael Day was unlucky to see a shot crash off the crossbar.
The visitors fell 0-2 to 0-11 behind early in the second half before a productive spell renewed their hopes, scoring five points in 12 minutes - three from Egan and a couple of long-range efforts from Day and Maryland’s Kieran Martin.
But having built up a commanding lead, UCD always looked likely winners.
Scorers – UCD: J Heslin 0-8 (5fs), J McCaffrey 0-2, R Basquel, S O’Dea, R Carr, P Harnan and B Fenton 0-1 each. AIT: G Egan 0-4 (3fs), D Queeney, M Day and K Martin 0-1 each.
UCD: E Keogh; R Wylie, D Byrne, M O’Cathalain; P Harnan, C Mullaly, S O’Dea; M O’Hanlon, J Barry; B Fenton, J McCaffrey, E Nolan; R Basquel, J Heslin, N Kelly. Subs: R Carr for Barry (20), C Lenehan for Nolan (45), C Sheridan for Kelly (54), P Reilly for Fenton (54), E Lowery for Basquel (57).
Athlone IT: M Langtry; E Kerins, S Flynn, D Farley; J Donohue, K Martin, J Dolan; M Day, C O’Brien; D Whelan, G Egan, K Kilcline; C Fitzgerald, D Queeney, A Coffey. Subs: A Sullivan for O’Brien (h-t), D Wharton for Whelan (45), J Wharton for Fitzgerald (59).
Referee: John Hickey (Carlow).
*See next week’s Westmeath Independent for a full report.