Late flourish ends hopes of students in Sigerson Cup

Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup Third Round

MTU Cork

ATU Sligo 3-12 2-7

ATU SLIGO’S Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup campaign is over for another year. On Tuesday night, at Clonad GAA Club’s pitch in Laois, the Brendan Drummond-managed ATU Sligo lost by eight points to MTU Cork, 3-12 to 2-7, with the Cork-based side (formerly Cork IT) heading to the quarter-finals.

ATU Sligo, improved here compared to last week’s loss to St Mary’s University College (Belfast), were level at the break, 2-4 to 1-7, as a brace of goals from full-forward Fola Ayorinde kept their hopes alive of progressing to the last eight.

But the second-half was a different affair – ATU Sligo, for whom Mark Walsh excelled, only scored three times and were heavily outscored by their opponents who relied on a late flourish to get over the line. However, despite failing to match their first-half output, ATU Sligo were just a point down, 2-8 to 2-7, with 55 minutes elapsed after Aaron Kelleghan’s fourth point of the night.

MTU Cork goaled twice in the second period – at vital times – through Eanna O’Hanlon, who netted four minutes after the restart, and David O’Connor, whose three-pointer was one of five unanswered scores in the last five minutes.

ATU Sligo did well against MTU Cork this week, a notable improvement on their performance against St Mary’s University College. The first of Fola Ayorinde’s two goals came after six minutes as ATU Sligo went in front, 1-0 to 0-1, although it was MTU Cork who looked sharper. Indeed, MTU Cork’s response to conceding this goal was powerful – they scored 1-4 without reply to retake the lead. Their goal came from Dylan O’Connor.

ATU Sligo goalkeeper Luke Jennings was also busy at this stage – he was twice called into action to thwart efforts from Aaron O’Shea and Alan Walsh.

ATU Sligo were back in the game in the 18th minute when Westmeath’s Fola Ayorinde goaled again.

A point by Aaron O’Shea edged MTU Cork in front, 1-7 to 2-3, with half-time fast approaching. Joseph Keaney, one of five Sligo natives in ATU Sligo’s starting XV, landed an equalising point before the break.

In the second-half Aaron Kelleghan, an All-Ireland U-20 winner with Offaly, landed a hat-trick of pointed frees, including two excellent efforts from distance to keep ATU Sligo’s pot boiling.

Ryan O’Donovan proved to be an important attacker for MTU Cork – he contributed six of their 12 points to make him one of the leading scorers in the current competition.

Best for ATU Sligo: Mark Walsh

MTU Cork: Kieran Twomey, Sean Andrews, Sean Meehan, Tommy Walsh, Rory Maguire (0-1), Paul Ring, Enda O’Connor, Liam Smith, Danny Linehan, Aaron O’Shea (0-2), Jack Cahalane, Dylan O’Connor (1-1), Ryan O’Donovan (0-6, 5f), Eanna O’Hanlon (1-1), Alan Walsh

Subs used: Sean Dore, Joe Cooper, David Buckley (0-1), David O’Connor (1-0)

ATU Sligo: Luke Jennings, Ryan O’Shea, Mark Walsh, DJ Earley, Shane O’Brien, Christopher Seoighe, Joseph Keaney (0-1), Kevin McGee, Maitias Barrett, Luke Molloy (0-1), Aaron Kelleghan (0-4, 3f), Richard O’Rourke, Jack Davitt, Fola Ayorinde (2-0), Oisin McLoughlin (0-1)

Subs used: Peter Prior, Kieran Clancy

Referee: Seamus Mulhare