UU Jordanstown qualified for the semi-finals when they proved too strong for NUI Galway at Mullahoran yesterday. Following the defeat of the holders, DCU, in the last round, Jordanstown were strong favourites to get through.
Despite playing against a strong breeze in the first half, they controlled the early exchanges and led by 2-3 to 0-6 on 19 minutes, the goals coming from Paddy Cunningham and Raymond Mulgrew.
Jordanstown added just one further score before halftime but still looked to be in a comfortable position. However, the anticipated rush of scores failed to materialise in the opening minutes of the second half.
There were promising signs for NUI when Mark Gottche and David Conway closed the gap to three points with 15 minutes left. Jordanstown, however, weathered the storm and they closed out the game with points from Johnny Bradley, Mark Lynch and Cunningham.
UUJ: M McAllister; P Mooney, J Conlon, F Moriarty; R Murray (0-2), P Donnelly, D Hughes; J Bradley (0-1), J Colgan (0-1); M Herron (0-1), J Boyle (0-1), R Mulgrew (1-0); P Cunningham (1-2), P Downey, M Lynch (0-3). Subs: D McCaul for Murray, K Dyas for Heron, B Boggs for Hughes, P Doherty for Cunningham, C Conlon for Downey.
NUIG: R O'Reilly; P O'Reilly, F Hanley, G Cafferty; S Drake, C Monaghan, G Bradshaw (0-1); D Duffy, B Guckian; S Stenson, M Gottche (0-1), F Breathnach; M Ronaldson, J Farrell, D Conway (0-7). Subs: C Kenny for Stenson, B Kelly for Guckian, A Glynn for Duffy, D O'Gara for Ronaldson.
Referee: E Murtagh (Longford).
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