Clifford to the fore as UL ease past Sligo in Sigerson Cup opener

David Clifford top scored for the hosts who led from start to finish.

The University of Limerick eased into Round 2A of the Sigerson Cup with a comprehensive 4-15 to 0-7 win over Sligo IT on Tuesday evening.

Mayo’s Eoghan McLoughlin hit the net in the first half for the Limerick side as they took a 1-8 to 0-2 lead into the interval.

Substitute Paul Walsh grabbed a brace of goals on his introduction to put the game beyond the visitors.

Walsh, an All-Ireland minor winner with Kerry, opened his account with a speculative effort that creeped into the the top corner, but there was no stopping the second, a low drive to the net.

The main attraction, David Clifford showed his class in glimpses in the first half clipping over a point off his right boot but adding a pair of wides.

He did manage to finish with 1-4, adding pair of frees to a mark before applying the goal of the night late on, holding off his marker under the high ball before turning and firing into the top corner.

However, the star of the show was no doubt Kildysart’s Emmett McMahon, who hit over 0-5 in a exhibition type performance.

He opened the scoring for UL before hitting over four more throughout the contest, bagging a couple of each foot.

Adare’s Paul Maher captained the side from corner back while vice captain Donal O’Sullivan bagged 0-3.

UL will now play Letterkenny IT in the next round after the Donegal outfit beat Carlow IT with a late flourish, 1-13 to 1-11 last night.

UL and LYIT are now assured of their place in the last eight while one of Carlow and Sligo will also advance.