Preview | UL seek maiden title as they face NUIG in Sigerson Cup decider

IT Carlow will host the final which could be the first of two this week between the colleges.

For only the second time in their history, UL will contest the Sigerson Cup final tonight as they take on NUIG in the decider in IT Carlow this evening.

David Gough will referee the contest between the two standout teams in this years competition which has a 7.30pm throw in.

The game is an all ticket affair but will be shown live on TG4.

Sigerson Cup final Tickets

UL have never won the title, being defeated by IT Tralee in their only final appearance in 1997. NUIG are 22-time winners of the competition with their last victory coming in 2003.

Last 10 Sigerson Cup Champions

• 2020: DCU
• 2019: UCC
• 2018: UCD
• 2017: St Mary’s Belfast
• 2016: UCD
• 2015: DCU
• 2014: UCC
• 2013: DIT
• 2012: DCU
• 2011: UCC

UL have been in impressive form this year in reaching the final, their first in 25 years. They set out an early marker with twenty point win over Sligo before overcoming LyIT, Queens and DCU en route to the final.

UL are managed by Limerick native Declan Brouder while Adare’s Paul Maher captains the side.

David Clifford has no doubt been the star of the show hitting 5-20 in their four games thus far, including a pair of crucial points down the stretch in the semi-final.

Fellow Kerryman Donal O’Sullivan has been in fine scoring fettle, as has Kildysart’s Emmet McMahon who has shone at centre-forward. In defence, Sean Powter has been immense in anchoring the side at centre back. Mayo’s Eoghan McLoughlin and Kerry’s Stefan Okunbor are injury doubts coming into the game.

NUIG have been similarly impressive winning each of their three games.

They began their campaign with a six point win over Queen’s, who UL subsequently defeated in the following round. This earned them a place in the quarter-finals where they defeated LyIT, another side that UL have overcame before a brilliant ET win over pre-match favourites MTU Kerry.

Tomo Culhane and Matthew Tierney were in excellent form in their semi-final win in Mick Neville Park and in truth the game should never have gone to ET with the Galway side five clear late on in normal time.

They are without star attacker Tommy Conroy who ruptured his ACL in the win over LyIT.

Path to the Final

UL

• Rd1: bt Sligo IT 4-15 to 0-7
• Rd2: bt LyIT 2-23 to 3-15
• QF: bt QUB 2-12 to 0-13
• SF: bt DCU 0-14 to 0-11

NUIG

• Rd1: bt QUB 3-10 to 2-7
• QF: bt LyIT 2-8 to 1-8
• SF: bt MTU Kerry 0-18 to 0-15 AET

UL are heavy favourites coming into the game and are priced at 1/2 while the Galway side are 6/4 to add to their collection.

And with David Clifford amongst their ranks, it is hard to bet against the Limerick college capturing a first ever title.

UL take on NUIG in the Sigerson Cup final this evening, Wednesday February 16 in IT Carlow at 7.30pm.