UL take on favourites DCU for place in Sigerson Cup final

It will be a battle of the favourites and second favourites for a place in the 2023 Sigerson Cup final this Wednesday.

The University of Limerick are one hour away from a second successive Sigerson Cup final place as they meet DCU Dochas Eireann this Wednesday evening.

It acts as the first of a Sigerson Cup semi-final double bill with TU Dublin meeting UCC later in the evening.

The meeting of UL and DCU is a repeat of last year’s semi-final where Declan Brouder’s men advanced with a 0-14 to 0-11 win in Carlow.

UL were led by David Clifford who kicked 0-5 on the night, including two of the last three scores with the teams level heading into the final exchanges.

The result saw DCU dethroned after they claimed a fifth title and first in five years in 2020.

However, the Limerick side were beaten by NUIG in the final with their wait for a first title continues. That game was only UL’s second-ever final appearance, following the defeat to IT Tralee in 1997.

The Limerick men have been impressive in this year’s competition, beginning their season with a win over UCC in the Mardyk. A blip followed against TU Dublin, who have advanced to the semi-finals where they will play UCC, but Brouder’s side responded with a comfortable win over SETU Carlow.

And for the second successive season, UL defeated the reigning champions, eliminating NUIG last week after extra-time in Dangan, captain Emmet McMahon and Ciaran Downes kicking the winning scores in a 1-15 to 2-10 victory.

Yet, DCU are odds on favourites for the championship at 5/6 following an exceptional year thus far. They had 17 points to spare against ATU Donegal in their opener before securing their quarter-final spot with a similarly dominant 3-14 to 0-5 victory against Queens. The margin of victory was nine points over MTU Cork in their quarter final with each of the other last eight ties needing extra-time or penalties.

It is a tall ask for UL but whoever comes through the first semi-final will be hugely favoured to go on to win the title in Waterford on February 15th.

2023 Sigerson Cup semi-finals

Wednesday, February 8 in Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow

UL v DCU Dochas Eireann at 6.15pm

TU Dublin v UCC at 8pm