Slow start leaves Fitzgibbon side in difficulty

League Champions, IT Carlow, had too much for a misfiring DCU in last nights Fitzgibbon Cup group opener down in Carlow. The victory was paved by a ten minute opening spell where Colin Dunford scored a great individual goal, while Picky Maher scored from both play and placed balls to leave the score at 1-4 to 0-1. A concern with the slow start was the fact that DCU were playing with the aid of a significant breeze in the opening half. DCU did manage to settle the ship there after and the play was evenly matched but inaccuracy on the frees from a number of different free takers meant that DCU were unable to fully close the gap. However there were some fine scores from Eoghan O’Donnell & Danny Sutcliffe but the fast opening period for Carlow was the difference at half time as IT Carlow led on a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-5.

The second half opened with DCU applying a huge amount of pressure on the home side and the gap was cut considerably as Dan Staunton and substitute Cathal Curran managing to get on the scoreboard. The gap was down to five points when DCU attempted to goal for goal from a 21 yard free but it was well stopped. This resulted in a change of momentum and Carlow went on to register eleven scores without reply in a period where DCU failed to get a break of any description, as they attempted to go for goals when the point was the easier option. The redeploying of key men out the field assisted Carlow in this period as Picky Maher, Cha Dwyer registered fine scores from play, as did Jack Fagan who had been well marshaled well up until this point by Rob Lennon. However, Peter Hogan did manage to find the net towards the end of the game following a clever rob on the IT Carlow defense.

The final score running out at 1-21 to 1-8, with Carlow full deserving of the margin of victory on the night. The other group game played earlier in the day seen WIT account for St. Pats on a scoreline of 1-19 to 0-9. DCU travel to Carriganore next Thursday and will face a tough task against last years finalists on their home turf, but manager Nick Weir will be keen for the players to react strongly, as a defeat would issue an early exit from the competition.

Scorers – IT Carlow: S Maher 0-9 (6f), C Dunford 1-2 (1f), C Dwyer 0-3 (1f), J Fagan, C Bolger 0-2 each, K Kelly, M Harney, J Doyle 0-1 each. DCU: C Curran 0-3 (2f), P Hogan 1-0; P Foley (f), E O’Donnell, D Staunton, D Sutcliffe, S Gray 0-1 each.

IT Carlow – E Rowland; K Hannafin, T Gallagher, R Brown; D Healy, W Young, D Palmer; K Kelly, M Russell; C Dwyer, M Harney, S Maher; C Dunford, J Fagan, C Bolger. Subs: J Doyle for Russell (43); S Kelly for Dwyer (56); M Redmond for Bolger (57).

DCU – C Ryan; M Heeney, R Lennon, P O’Dea; K Fitzgerald, P Foley, E O’Donnell; D Staunton, E McHugh; D Sutcliffe, K O’Flynn, C Joyce; S Gray, G Howard, D Barden. Subs: C Curran for McHugh (18); N O’Connor for Barden (h-t); P Hogan for Joyce (36); C Scally for Gray (36); T French for O’Flynn (49).

Fresher A Footballers grind down UL

DCU Fresher A Footballers managed to grind out a victory against a strong UL team in Limerick last night. DCU traveled to Limerick, following a successful league campaign, where they managed to beat UUJ in the final comfortably. But it was far from comfortable last night for long periods as the Shannonside college had the better of the majority of the opening exchanges. DCU opened the scoring with a point but it was UL who pounced for the first goal of the game and the exchanges were tit for that as DCU managed to make it to half time with a slender 0-6 to 1-2 lead.

DCU opened the scoring in the second half with a good goal from the in form Brian Reape and the team was pushed forward by captain Barry Kerr, who slotted a fine point. DCU continued to drive forward and the attacking prowess of Brian Reape was critical as he finished with 2-2. He was assisted well in the scoring stakes by Rory Feehily, who scored 1-1. DCU managed to add the two goals in the closing stages to add some gloss to the scoreline as it finished 3-9 to 1-6. Manager, Brendan Gillen will be happy with some fine performances along the spine of the team from Daniel O’Neill, Ronan Jones & David Brady.

DCU will now face a home game against the winners of the CIT/GMIT match, in the quarter final of the Daithi Billings Cup. Nothing will be taken for granted though as a number of surprise results in the 1st round highlights how competitive the Championship is this year.

DCU comfortable in opening Sigerson Cup game

Corner forward Shane Carey helped himself to 3-6 as defending Sigerson champions DCU won with plenty to spare against Athlone IT in DCU on Tuesday. An opening period of dominance in the game for DCU was stemmed by a spirited Athlone IT side, who managed to keep the gap narrow for most of the first half, before a two goal blitz just before half time paved the way for a comfortable victory, as Conor McGraynor and Shane Carey netted for the home side. The half time score of 2-6 to 0-2 was a fair reflection of the home side’s dominance of the opening half.

DCU managed to introduce a number of quality players at half time and throughout the second half, as the Athlone effort started to fade, with the impact of a combined 1-3 from Ultan Harney and David Mannix off the bench, illustrating the competition for places that is currently present in the DCU squad. Goals from Diarmuid O’Connor, Ultan Harney and two from Carey in the second half emphasized the scoring threat of reigning champions, as they eventually ran out winners 6-14 to 1-7.

DCU will be happy to progress to an away quarter final, where they will renew rivalry with Carlow IT, who DCU have already met this year in both the League before Christmas and the O’Byrne Cup earlier this month. Athlone IT will be disappointed with the manner of defeat considering their gutsy performance in the first half, but they were overly reliant on Westmeath star, Kieran Martin for scores throughout as he finished with 1-5 of their total.

DCU: B Flynn; J Smith, D Ward (0-1), P McKenna; D Byrne, C Moynagh, S Attride; S Carthy (0-1), C McGonagle; M Quinn (0-2), D O’Connor (1-1), M Plunkett; C McNally, C McGraynor (1-0), S Carey (3-6, three frees). Subs: E Smith for Ward (h/t), R Lyons for Plunkett (h/t), U Harney (1-1) for McNally (43 mins), C Breheny for Quinn (50 mins), R Connor for McKenna (50 mins), D Mannix (0-2) for McGraynor (54 mins).

ATHLONE IT: D O’Connell; D Monagle, A Claffey, M Kearney; D Wharton, S Flynn, A Byrne; E Quigley, M Daly; D McDermott, K Martin (1-5, three frees), A Fitzpatrick; C McMonagle (0-2), T Watts, A Coffey. Subs: D Petit for Coffy (36 mins), K Rudden for Daly (43 mins).

Ashbourne Team exits Championship despite great performance

The DCU Ashbourne team exited the Championship at the group stages on Tuesday, despite a massive performance that resulted in a draw with hosts NUIG on a scoreline of 2-11 to 3-8.

Both teams entered the game having registered two losses in their opening group games to WIT and UCC, leaving both teams with the chance to progress to the quarter finals against MIC with a victory, however NUIG had the extra blanket of a draw as a result of their superior points difference.

DCU attacked the game with a massive aggression and intensity which was lacking in their game at the weekend against UCC. DCU played the first half against a strong gale and battled well throughout with the teams exchanging scores over the first 25 minutes to leave the score at 0-5 to 0-4 in favor of the westerners. DCU got some fine scores in this period with Roisin Collins, Christine Lyng and Emer Reilly all registering scores. DCU were landed a big blow just before half time when Clare star, Chloe Morey, scored a great goal for NUIG against the run of play and while DCU responded well it left a gap at half time of 1-5 to 0-5.

NUIG started the second half with renewed vigor and the impressive Maria Cooney added a good score, but then DCU drove forward well and managed to level the game by the 40th minute 1-6 to 1-6, the DCU goal coming from Caoimhe McCrussan. But NUIG managed to get two opportunistic goals in the closing quarter that meant DCU were always chasing the game, which they did well with a number of scores from Emer Reilly and all players contributing around the pitch. NUIG entered the closing stages ahead by three points, when a DCU free by Christine Lyng rocketed to the back of the net, but this was greeted by the final whistle.

It was much improved performance by the DCU girls, with great performances by Stacey Quirke, Roisin Baker & Aideen Coyle and the amount of Freshers and 2nd years playing a pivotal role in the revival will be a cause for hope ahead of next years season. NUIG will have a tough task ahead as they face the resurgent Limerick side in the quarter finals, as they look to gain a place at their weekend.

 

Third Level Championships just around the Corner

Championship preview piece

Ladies Football

DCU will be looking to add the O’Connor Cup and the Giles Cup to the Division One and Three League titles which were annexed prior to Christmas. The O’Connor Cup side face a tough opener against UCC, who will be spearheaded by a number of Cork Stars, but home advantage in this game will be crucial. Stephen Maxwell has the girls prepared well and expectations are high of progression, but tough encounters lie ahead in the afore mentioned UCC, followed by Maynooth (A) and Queens (H). The Giles Cup team will be hoping for success at a higher level, following their Lynch Cup success in 2015. The jump in divisions may pose a challenge but the fine league performance by Jammie Costello’s girls has the team full of confidence ahead of trips to CIT and Sligo IT, along with a home game against Mary I in the group. The entry of a third Ladies team this year is cause for more cheer, as the girls enter the HEC Cup with designs on silverware, but will face stiff tests in the face of Queens (H), Mary I (A), IT Carlow (H) and Garda (A).

Camogie

The Ashbourne side are the first of our teams in Championship action after the exams, as the face UCC on Saturday and they have little time for reflection as they must face NUIG, the hosts, on Tuesday. Stephen Behan and his girls will be pleased with the fact that both of these games are on their home turf and the team has also functioned well since their first round defeat in November against reigning champs, WIT. A big four days will define DCU’s season, with the return of some key girls a massive boost as the team looks to progress to the knockout stages.

The Intermediate Camogie team will have to wait a little while longer before they see action, with a first round game against Dublin rivals UCD fixed for the week after the Ashbourne Cup Weekend.

 

Hurling

DCU enter the Fitzgibbon Cup with high hopes of progression, they are pitted in a group with WIT, IT Carlow and St. Pats. The team face two tough away trips to Carlow (Jan 28^th) and Waterford (Feb 4^th), before their home derby fixture against St. Pats (Feb 9^th). Manager, Nick Weir, will be looking to build upon some good performance in the Walsh Cup and progress to the quarter finals. The return of a number of key personnel who have been injured will be crucial as DCU travel to Carlow. The Intermediate team will play Carlow in their first outing in DCU on February 2^nd, both teams will enter the game with high expectations, as both sides faced off in last years Leinster final.

The Fresher A team, will hope to go one step further than they did in their League run, when they were pipped by LIT in the final. The team face a tough opener at the ¼ final stage, as they must travel to the Mardyke to face UCC, a repeat of the league ½ final, where DCU came out on top thanks to fine performances from Mark Cullen, Darragh Brennan, Aaron Maddock and Sean Hickey. DCU will get nothing easy but travel with high expectations. The Fresher B side face a local derby on February 1^st as they must travel to DIT, the two sides met in the league in November, with DCU coming out victors, but that will count for little in this tussle.

Football

The Sigerson Cup team will be looking to win back to back Sigersons for the first time in the college’s history and the team will be boosted by the presence of so many of last year’s team again on the panel this year, including Conor McGraynor, Mickey Quinn and Conor McHugh. The team have prepared as thoroughly as ever under Niall Moyna and his management team, making their way to the Ryan Cup final in November, losing out to a strong UCD team and competing well in the O’Byrne Cup before losing out to the Dubs, missing out on progression. The team face off against Athlone IT in their opener on January 26^th and will have their sights set overcoming their midland counterparts and  reaching the weekend in Jordanstown. The Intermediate side face a tough opener on February 4^th against Jordanstown, while the Junior side have yet to find out who they’ll face in their first outing.

The Fresher A team, under the guidance of Brendan Gillen, will be looking to add a Championship title to their League title, which was won in impressive fashion against UUJ in December. The team backboned by some excellent Cavan, Mayo, Meath and Donegal players will face a tough test in their first game as they travel to Limerick to face UL on January 27^th. The B team face a very difficult trip across the city to Belfield in their first game, the two sides were evenly matched in their league game and this affair is likely to be the same. The C team will welcome Athlone IT to DCU in the ¼ final and will be hoping to build upon a series of good results from the League.

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DCU and NUIG share spoils in Walsh Cup

DCU made a second half comeback against NUIG, that fell just short of gaining the victory when Galway’s Jason Whelan scored an equalising point in injury team to make sure the teams shared the spoils, as they both set their sights firmly on their Fitzgibbon Cup openers in ten days time.

The opening exchanges were close as the teams traded points before a well worked goal by Stephen Ward gave NUIG a three point advantage, DCU worked hard and got scores from the dead ball prowess of Sean Gray, along with Gary Howard and Conor Joyce to bring the margin down to a single point at the 25th minute. However, a good scoring spell by the Galway students gave them a five point interval lead, as Padraig Mannion racked up three fine long distance points.

The half time score of 1-11 to 0-9 was a fair reflection of the first half play and NUIG further expanded their lead in the opening ten minutes of the second period as they ended up going eight points clear before DCU rallied.  DCU started to gain momentum through the work rate of Dublin duo Kevin O’Flynn and Danny Sutcliffe, along with Dan Staunton and started to bridge the gap before a finely taken Eoghan McHugh goal narrowed the gap further.

DCU continued to rack up the scores from distance through Gary Howard, Killian Fitzgerald and Paudie Foley and managed to take the lead in the closing stages before a pass from the excellent Niall O’Brien set up Jason Whelan for the leveling point.

Manager, Nick Weir, was left relatively pleased with the Walsh Cup campaign, despite no victories, as the team moved well in patches and the introduction of some injured players in the coming week will leave the training pitch a competitive place. The next stop is a trip to IT Carlow in the first round of the Fitzgibbon Cup on Thursday January 28th.

DCU bow out of O’Byrne Cup

Dublin proved too big an obstacle for DCU to overcome in their aims to reach the semi-final of the O’Byrne Cup, as the sides met yesterday in Parnell Park. Dublin running out winners by four points, 1-16 to 1-12 in a tight and tense affair which was greeted fondly by both managers.

Both sides entered the encounter with ambitions of making the knockout stage of the competition, with a draw being enough for DCU required and the game looked like it would be a close contest as the opening exchanges were close and very little separated the sides before a well taken goal in the 19th minute by Dublin youngster Con O’Callaghan. The half time score of 1-7 to 0-6 left the game finely poised, however Dublin started the second half brightly and opened up a six point lead before Mickey Quinn got DCU off the park for the second half. DCU made substitutions at half time with David Mannix and Simon McCoy entering the fray and they were welcome additions going forward for DCU, who were constantly stunted by familiar faces as the Dublin line out featured a host of players who had previously played for DCU.

DCU continued applying pressure on the Dublin lead throughout the game and on the scoreboard, both Shane Carey, who finished with 0-7 and Enda Smith, who got 1-3, made big impressions. Niall Moyna will be happy with the weeks work in the O’Byrne Cup, as solid wins over Wexford and Carlow IT and this performance against Dublin, showed that the team are ticking along nicely ahead of their Sigerson Cup dual with Athlone IT on January 26th. The addition of some absent panel members leave DCU in a good place as they hope to defend the Sigerson Cup for the first time in the college’s history.

DCU fall just short against Galway

DCU traveled to Ballinasloe yesterday and were greeted by a strong Galway outfit, who were playing their first competitive match under the guidance of Michael Donoghue, since his appointment as manager. Galway started with five of the team who started in the All Ireland final last summer and over the course of the contest nine players from that defeat to Kilkenny played a part.

Nick Weir made several personal and positional changes from the team that lost out to Westmeath the previous week, five different players starting the game and the changes led to a much improved team performance.

The game was a stop start encounter in the first half and referee, James McGrath, was kept busy as he dished out eight yellow cards before the half time break, eventually leading to the sending off of Galway’s David Burke. On the scoreboard, DCU opened the scoring with a fine score from play by Sean Gray, who would eventually finish with a tally of nine points. Galway followed this score up in the opening quarter with scores from Jason Flynn and DCU graduate Padraig Brehony, who put in a huge shift around the middle for the Tribesmen. Further scores by Danny Sutcliffe and Sean Gray put the students ahead briefly before Joe Canning riffled to the net for Galway. Eoghan O’Donnell marshaled Canning well all day for DCU, and came out on top in their individual battle, but there was nothing he could do about the two sidelines the Portumna man pointed in the second quarter. The sides exchanged scores towards the end of the half and they made the retreat to the dressing room on a score line of 1-6 to 0-4. The DCU rearguard would have been content with their first half performance, with Paudie Foley the lynch pin at centre back, with Paul O’Dea and Mick Heeney hurling well.

Galway started the second half brightly despite playing with fourteen men and notched some fine scores and they led on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-8 at the 50 minute mark. However, it was the last twenty minutes when DCU showed some great character, which will be needed for the trip to Carlow IT at the end of the month in their Fitzgibbon Cup opener. Paudie Foley, Dan Staunton and Killian Fitzgerald managed to get some excellent scores from distance to reduce the deficit, while in the forwards Danny Sutcliffe, Sean Gray kept the scoreboard ticking. DCU were also assisted by the introduction of Niall O’Connor, who notched two fine points. However, the introduction of Aidan Harte and Eanna Burke off the bench was a big plus for Galway as they accounted for five points in the closing quarter. DCU reduced the gap to two points and were unlucky when James Skehill stopped a fine goal chance from Sean Gray in the finish to ensure the home side were victors.

The defeat means DCU cannot progress to the knockout stages in their first foray into the Walsh Cup, but a home game against NUIG, backboned by a number of Galway senior stars is in store this coming weekend.

Second win of the week in O’Byrne Cup for Footballers

DCU have set up an interesting clash with Dublin on Sunday (provisionally fixed for Parnell Park at 14:00), following a comprehensive win over Wexford in difficult conditions in St. Patricks, Enniscorthy last night. The win on Sunday against Carlow IT on a scoreline of 3-20 to 2-6 was followed up with a six point victory over Wexford last night, meaning that if DCU avoid defeat against All Ireland champions and current O’Byrne cup holders Dublin, they will progress to the semi final stages of the competition, which DCU last won in 2012.

The victory over Wexford was laid with an impressive opening half with the aid of a strong wind, where DCU kept the scoreboard kicking over in the opening ten minutes, with scores from Mark Plunkett, Conor McHugh, Conor McGraynor and David Mannix, this established a 0-04 to 0-01 lead after the opening exchanges. DCU managed to keep control of proceedings and entered half time leading by 6 points 0-7 to 0-2.

The second half exchanges were as expected for early January, as the inclement weather which has affected the country for the past fortnight took its toll on the pitch and passages of quality play were few and far between. Conor McGraynor added a goal soon after the resumption and with an eight point lead, DCU were unlikely to be overturned. Wexford did add a goal through Jamie Carty shortly after the DCU goal. However, over the course of the last quarter, neither team gave the scoreboard operator much trouble and a single score by Mark Plunkett is all that was registered. DCU manager, Niall Moyna, was left with a number of aspects to work on ahead of Dublin on Sunday, but will be pleased with the team performance and character shown.

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DCU opening Walsh Cup game ends in defeat

A first outing for DCU in the Walsh Cup was a good opportunity for both themselves and Westmeath to throw off the Christmas cobwebs. It was a good rise in standard for DCU, who had competed at Kehoe Cup level for the past number of years and it was met with a defeat by three points on a scoreline of 2-20 to 2-17.

The opening exchanges were dominated by Westmeath as they race into a four point lead after 20 minutes, as indiscipline by the DCU rearguard led to Brendan Murtagh notching a number of scores from placed balls. DCU did manage to stay in touch with a huge score by Paudie Foley, along with scores by Daire Barden and Niall O’Connor. There was 25 minutes gone before DCU gained parity on the scoreboard, as a sweetly struck free by Sean Gray, who was in excellent form from placed balls, rattled the net. The score was poised nicely at 1-5 to 0-8 points, but a five point burst over the remaining ten minutes of the half, gave Westmeath a comfortable 0-13 to 1-5 lead at half time.

The second half started brightly for DCU, as Killian Fitzgerald got a great score to start the half of well and DCU cut the deficit to a single point, before Westmeath got their opening goal, as a speculative ball over the top was picked up by half forward, Warren Casserly who finished calmly to the net. DCU again made inroads into the lead with points from the lively Conor Joyce and substitute Danny Sutcliffe, but a small margain always remained for the hosts.

The game looked to be wrapped up when good pressure from the Westmeath forwards gave a chance to Killian Murphy who finished high to the net and opened up a six point lead as the game entered the closing stages.  However, DCU again rallied in the closing minutes, with a goal by Conor Joyce and further pointed frees by Sean Gray reducing the deficit, but despite pushing hard for the crucial goal, the Westmeath rearguard held firm.

DCU will travel to Ballinaloe next Sunday for their next game of the group stages against Galway, who play their first competitive outing under new manager, Michael Donoghue. It is likely to be a further step up in class and improvement will be needed, as the team prepares for its Fitzgibbon Cup opener against Carlow IT at the end of the month.