Dundalk IT let major Sigerson scalp slip
DCU DKIT 1-7 0-7
DKIT let a gigantic Sigerson Cup scalp slip from their grasp last Wednesday night as a controversial penalty call came to 14-man DCU’s rescue in Darver.
Back in the premier third level grade after a lengthy absence, Oisin McConville’s men certainly proved they can mix it with the big boys with a controlled and mature display against the 2015 champions.
DCU had Mayo superstar Diarmuid O’Connor in their ranks, but it was his namesake and inter-county rival Eanna O’Connor of Kerry who steered the Dublin outfit home in the second period.
The up-and-coming Kingdom star netted the spot-kick that ultimately proved the difference between the sides, but DKIT had very legitimate claims that the foul on Tipp’s Stephen O’Brien took place outside the penalty area.
O’Connor didn’t let the how or why affect him as he dispatched his kick past Joe O’Donoghue.
What turned out to be the only goal of the game drew DCU level with just under 15 minutes left on the clock and it provided them with the impetus to shake off their dogged opponents.
DKIT adjourned with a 0-4 to 0-2 cushion at half-time and DCU looked to be in real trouble having lost corner back Barry Kerr to a straight red card before the interval.
DKIT had the wind at their backs in that opening half and passed up a couple of goal chances before kicking four points their four without firsthalf tut reply from David McGivney, (pictured), Tadhg Donal McEDonal McEnaney Meegan and Niall Kearns. They strestretched that lead to tthree after the brbreak through McEMcEnaney before EaEanna O’Connor anand Conor Doherty traded points, making it 0-6 to 0-3. The game aand a major upupset looked to be there for the takintaking for DKIT, but the penpenalty offered DCU a lifelifeline. Kearns ededged DKIT back in front,front but it was to be their final score of the night as O’Connor, twice, Shane Carthy and Dessie Ward dragged DCU through to the quarter-finals.
DKIT: Joe O’Donoghue; Colm Meegan, Conor Lenehan, Ian Connor, Kevin Traynor, Cormac Daly, Eunan Walsh; Ciarán Bellew, Niall Kearns 0-2 (1f); David McGivney 0-1, Conor Doherty 0-1, Gerard McSorley; Tadhg McEnaney 0-2f, Shea Hoey, Donal Meegan 0-1. Subs: Dean Maguire for Bellew (50), Seán Marry for Hoey (52), Aaron O’Brien for McEnaney (58).
DCU: Evan Comerford; Barry Kerr, Fintan Kelly, Ciarán Boylan; Desmond Ward 0-2, Shairoze Akram, Paddy Durcan; Stephen O’Brien, Caolan McGonagle; Desmond Reynolds, Shane Carthy 0-1, Diarmuid O’Connor; Michael Bannigan, Éanna O’Connor 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), David Mannix 0-1. Subs: Diarmuid Murtagh for Reynolds (ht), Conor Bradley for Mannix (38), James Mealiff for McGonagle (42).
REFEREE: Cormac Reilly (Meath).