Barry McHugh inspires IT Carlow to shock Sigerson Cup win over UL

UL 0-10 IT Carlow 0-11

A serious injury sustained by Michael Flannery marred this closely fought Sigerson Cup quarater-final tie at Limerick.

UL Substitute Flannery fell heavily to the ground in the final minute and there was serious concern about the player’s wellbeing as he appeared to suffer a seizure after hitting the deck.

A half-hour delay ensued before Flannery was, thankfully, well enough to board an ambulance that finally arrived.

When play resumed, IT Carlow held out for a one-point victory that sends them through to a very first Sigerson Cup semi-final, against UCC.

Galway’s Barry McHugh was the star of the show for IT Carlow, who held on after leading by 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time.

McHugh finished with 0-8, including six frees, for the visitors in a nailbiting encounter.

On four occasions during the second half, IT Carlow were two points clear but each time, dogged UL got to within a point.

UL did lead in the first half, with Daniel McLaughlin and Shane Killoran impressive, while centre back Denis Daly fired over two fine points from the touchline.

Goal chances were few and far between but at the finish, UL would have settled for another point to take the game into extra-time.

UL: R Lavelle; F Boland, C Long, P O'Connor; A Rowan, D Daly (0-2, 1sl, 1f), D Larkin; C MacNamee, E Carroll; A McFadden, N McDermott (0-3f), S Killoran (0-2); C O'Brien, G Hegarty, Daniel McLaughlin (0-3). Subs: P McHugh for MacNamee (20), Daire McLoughlin for O'Brien (h.t.), B O'Shea for Hegarty (b/c 47), M Flannery for Rowan (b/c 55), C Hussey for Flannery (60).

IT CARLOW: S Murphy (0-1f); T O'Connell, C Lawlor, D Smyth; E Lynch, T Featherston, E Walsh; W Young, M Sherry; K Ryan, A Dever, A Forde; L Boland (0-2f, 1f), K Mulvany, B McHugh (0-8, 6f). Subs: T Shiels for Mulvany (40), R O'Ceallaigh for Dever (59), R O'Brien for Lynch (b/c 60).

Referee: C Lane (Cork).