Sigerson Cup: Ulster University beat UCD by six points to end 16-year wait for Sigerson success

Ulster University claimed their first Sigerson Cup in 16 years as they beat UCD 3-12 to 0-15 at Austin Park in Tralee on Wednesday night.

First half goals from Niall Loughlin, Oisin McCann and Ben McCarron saw Ulster go in with a nine point advantage at the break.

UCD, who have won the competition 34 times, fought back in the second period with six unanswered points.

However, Ulster held on to claim a six-point victory.

Ulster were missing Glen All-Ireland winning duo Conor Glass and Ethan Doherty for the game, but manager Barry Dillon could still call upon Tyrone’s Darragh Canavan, who made his presence known with five points in the final.

He got the scoring underway for Ulster after just two minutes, before two scores from Daire Cregg put UCD ahead.

Ruairi Canavan levelled the scoring and then turned provider for Ulster’s opening goal, feeding Loughlin, who lashed his shot past Killian Roche.

They rattled home a quick-fire second goal just over a minute later with McCann firing home and Loughlin adding a point from play to extend his side’s advantage.

Cregg and Davy Garland each added two points to bring the Dublin side back to within three points of Ulster.

Darragh Canavan registered two more scores before McCarron notched Ulster’s third goal, beating Roche with a clean strike after being teed up by McCann.

A fine score from Ruairi Canavan stretched Ulster’s lead to nine points on the cusp of half-time, but they were thankful to goalkeeper Ronan McGeehin who made a crucial save to deny Aaron Lynch moments before the break.