DCU's Sublime Second Half Destroys NUI Maynooth

DCU 2 -17

NUI Maynooth 0-07

A POWERFUL second half performance from DCU blew Maynooth out of the water in the Sigerson Cup final at Pearse Stadium this afternoon. The Dublin college stepped up to another level after the break and Maynooth had no answer to the questions they posed.

It was the performance DCU had threatened throughout this competition and the warning signs were there right from the beginning. They settled into the game straight away and had three points on the board before Maynooth got their opening score.

The Kildare college were four points down inside twenty minutes but they persevered and rattled off three unanswered scores to get themselves back into the game. David Quinn’s point just before half time was a superb effort and reduced the deficit to a single point but Dean Rock, who again starred in the forwards, had the last say of the half and DCU went into the break 0-6 to 0-4 in front.

DCU had been wayward with their shooting in the opening thirty minutes and it seemed as if complacency had set in. Their over-confidence allowed Maynooth back into the game when DCU were clearly the better side.

Whatever Niall Moyna said to them at half time worked spectacularly. They re-emerged a team transformed and let loose in the second half. The introduction of David Kelly had an immediate impact and he scored within a minute. Paul Flynn’s 45 found its way to the back of the net on 44 minutes and from there DCU never looked back.

The situation went from bad to worse for Maynooth, who managed just three second half points, when Kelly netted in the 47^th minute. Quick, slick interchanging passes put the Sligo star through on goal

DCU have an embarrassment of riches in their side and the strength in depth on the bench was put to good use. Donegal captain Michael Murphy was also brought into the fray in the second half and scored DCU’s final point in injury time to wrap up a comprehensive victory.

DCU’s second half display was outstanding. They were on another level to their opponents. Their movement was clever and purposeful and they passed slickly and with precision. DCU dominated completely after the break but with the footballers they can call on, the performance wasn’t a surprise.

The forwards had a fantastic day and among their ranks were Dublin stars and All-Ireland winners Eoghan O’Gara and Paul Flynn, along with another Dubliner Dean Rock. These three were outstanding for DCU. Flynn was rewarded for his scoring prowess with the man of the match award.

Scorers – DCU: P Flynn (1-3); D Kelly (1-1); D Rock (0-4, 0-1f); E O’Gara (0-4); D Keenan (0-2); C Begley (0-1); M Murphy (0-1); G Sweeney (0-1). NUI Maynooth: M Newman (0-2, 0-1f); D Dalton (0-1); T Moolick (0-1); C Berrigan (0-1); P Cahillane (0-1); D Quinn (0-1).

DCU: M Boyle (R Hennelly 57); P McMahon; K Gavin; E Culligan; N Collins; J Cooper; J McCarthy; F O'Shea; C Begley; P Flynn; D Rock (G Sweeney 48); D Keenan (Murphy 40); J Brady (D Kelly halftime); E O'Gara (F O’Curraoin 57); A McFadden.

NUI Maynooth: S Connolly; K O'Brien; K Lynch (W Ryan 49); D Dalton; T Moolick ; J McDermott; S Denvir (T Johnson 38); C Berrigan (D Quinn 45); C Brophy; P Cahillane; S Hurley; C Mullins (P Óg Ó Gríofa 54); M Newman; J Califf (S Fahey 34); D Quinn.

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).