NUIG make the extra effort

SIGERSON CUP:NUIG 0-11 0-9 St Mary's Belfast

THREE UNANSWERED points in the second half of extra-time proved pivotal as NUIG advanced to the quarter-finals at Mullahoran. Long-time leaders St Mary’s looked favourites to clinch victory in normal time when leading 0-7 to 0-4 with less than six minutes left to play.

The sides were level at 0-2 each at half-time and it wasn’t until after Barry McGoldrick’s inspirational point in the 53rd minute for St Mary’s that NUIG shook off their lethargy. Antrim’s CJ McGourty scored a point at either end of the first half of extra-time to hoist St Mary’s into a 0-9 to 0-8 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

NUIG trio Kieran Conroy, Seán Armstrong and John Connellan pointed in quick succession on the restart to seal victory.

NUIG:L Grant; D Finnegan, G Cafferkey, C McDonald; G Begley, N Ewing, P Domican; G Bradshaw (0-3, one free), K Conroy (0-1); C Kenny, S Armstrong (0-3, one free, one 45), S Stenson; C Devanney, J Connellan (0-1), C McHugh (0-1). Subs: C Healy (0-1) for S Stenson, P Broderick (0-1) for C Devanney, M Gottsche for C McHugh.

ST MARY'S:B Mullan; K O'Boyle, C McElhone, M Digney; B Óg Maguire, J McMahon, M Murray; M McKenna (0-1), G O'Neill; N McSherry, K Niblock (0-3, frees), B McGoldrick (0-1); CJ McGourty (0-4, two frees), J Kelly, M Pollock. Subs: J Cunningham for N McSherry, K Mossey for M Pollock, P Carvill for K Niblock (inj), S Donaghy for J Cunningham.

Referee:B Crowe (Cavan).