UL kick off Sigerson Cup with trip to UCC

The Castletroy University are Limerick’s sole representative in the 2023 Sigerson Cup.

The University of Limerick’s bid to win a maiden Sigerson Cup begins this Wednesday evening as they take on UCC in the Mardyk in the opening round.

UL were beaten in last year’s decider by NUIG in what was only their second-ever final appearance in the third level competition.

The Limerick college will take on 23-time winners UCC in the Cork venue at 7pm in the first round with the winners to book passage into the third round while the victors will have to navigate a knockout tie.

UL have a pair of Limerick players in their squad in the form of Ronan McElligott (Mungret St Pauls) and John Hayes (St Kierans), both of whom were part of the 2022 panel that were beaten by NUIG. Last year’s side was led by the imperious David Clifford who hit an incredible 6-22 in six games for the finalists.

This year’s squad retains the likes of Eoghan McLoughlin (Mayo), Conor O’Flaherty (Galway) and Emmet McMahon (Clare) who starred for the Limerick side last year.

Their first-round opponents are stacked in their own right with the squad dominated by Cork and Kerry players. Their options include Brian Hayes, Brian Hartnett, Maurice Shanley, Cathail O’Mahony (all Cork) as well as Kerry’s Ruairi Murphy and Dylan Geaney and Tipp sharpshooter Sean O’Connor to name a few.

However, it was a disappointing campaign last year for the 2019 champions UCC who were defeated in both of their games. Firstly, MTU Cork got one over their rivals before roll of honour leaders UCD eliminated them from the reckoning in the second round.

Still, it will be a tall order for the Limerick college who have grown in stature in the competition in recent years. In 2016, the side containing Gearoid Hegarty, Danny Neville, Cian Sheehan, Kevin Moore, Paul White and James Naughton ended a 19-year wait for a semi-final berth before Clifford and co went one better last time out.

Whoever is defeated on Wednesday night will face the losers of TU Dublin and ATU Galway in the second round. The winners will book their place in the third round.

There will be some Limerick interest in MTU Cork, MTU Kerry and SETU Carlow with Eoin O’Mahony (Galbally), Robert Holes (Kilteely Dromkeen) and Tommy Griffin (Gerald Griffins) a part of those panels respectively.

O’Mahony’s MTU Cork will face 34-time champions UCD while Griffin and SETU Carlow meet St Mary’s on Tuesday evening. Holmes and MTU Kerry open their campaign on Wednesday against ATU Sligo.

Sigerson Cup Fixtures (all 7pm unless stated)

Tuesday January 10

MTU Cork v University College Dublin

Queens University Belfast v Ulster University

ATU Donegal v DCU Dóchas Éireann

SETU Carlow v St Mary’s University College at 7.30pm

Wednesday January 11

TU Dublin v ATU Galway

University College Cork v University of Limerick

ATU Sligo v MTU Kerry at 7.15pm

University of Galway v Maynooth University at 7.30pm