Sigerson Cup Football Semi-Finals Preview
by Ben Patterson Kyne
University of Galway are looking to reach the Sigerson Cup final tonight, as they travel to the Mardyke to face University College Cork. Throw-in is at 20:00, following the other semi-final between Queen's University of Belfast and University of Limerick at DCU St. Clares (18:00).
UG come into tonight's meeting after a narrow quarter-final victory over University College Dublin. The 2022 winners won 0-15 0-14 at the UCD Bowl in Belfield, scores from Mark McInerney (Clare), 0-6 (1tp), Cillian O'Curraoin (Michael Breathnach's) 0-4 (1tp,1f), Eoin Colleran (Roscommon) 0-3 (1tp) and Shane McGrath (Dunmore MacHales) 0-2 (1tp) securing the win.
UCC came out on top in a classic, beating holders DCU 3-16 1-20 at St. Clare's. Conor Daly (Cork) 0-5 (4f) and James Horgan (Kerry) 0-4 (2tp) were instrumental in the victory.
Having last won the Sigerson in 2023, beating Munster rivals UL 1-16 0-16 in extra-time, UCC will pose a tough test for UG, with a squad including some promising Cork talents: Thomas O'Mahony, David Buckley and Dan Peet. Both teams will look to regain the trophy in what is expected to be a close encounter.
In the other semi-final in Dublin, eight-time winners Queen's face off against UL, who are still yet to win the cup. Queen's are enjoying something of a revival under former All-Ireland winning manager, Feargal Logan. Ronan Cassidy (Tyrone) and Ryan McQuillan (Armagh) are key players who have propelled Queen's to the semi-final after their victory over TU Dublin.
UL beat Maynooth 3-16 0-17 in their quarter-final, Cian McHale 0-5 (2f,1tp), Frank Irwin 0-4 (1tp,1f) and Daithi Hogan 1-1 all on the scoresheet. Jack McCabe (Corofin) is also on the UL panel.
UCC vs University of Galway will be live on the Galway Bay FM website tonight from 19:45, with live commentary from Jonathan Higgins and Barry Cullinane.
2025/26 University of Galway Sigerson Cup football squad.
