UCD staged a brilliant final quarter fightback but it wasn't enough to prevent UUJ taking the Sigerson Cup to Belfast at the end of what turned out to be an enthralling final in Scotstown yesterday.

At one stage the Ulster College looked like cantering home after they had dominated the first half to lead by six points at the break and blast their way to a 10-points lead 10 minutes into the second half.

Paddy Bradley with three points and Jim McGuinness, who collected his second Sigerson medal (his third in all) as captain with two different institutions, chipped in with two points as UUJ took over almost completely. A point in the third minute of the second half by Brian McDonald gave some hope of a UCD revival but almost immediately they were hit with a goal. John Toal fielded brilliantly on the edge of the UCD square before crashing the ball to the roof of the net for an eight-points lead.

Further points from Martin O'Rourke, Kevin Hughes and Bradley saw UUJ extend their lead to 11 points at the end of the third quarter. At that stage they looking like turning the remainder of the game into something of a procession.

They had not reckoned, however, on the fighting qualities of UCD who grabbed a real lifeline when substitute Joe Byrne found the UUJ net after he had been well placed by Brian McDonald in the 19th minute.

Gaining great heart from this score UCD exerted almost continuous pressure for the following nine minutes and with just one minute of normal time remaining they were behind by only three points after Ciaran McManus (two), Brian McDonald (two), David Hanly and John Lynch had found the target.

Ultimately time was the enemy but it made for a marvellous finish with UUJ hitting two late points from substitute Ronan Sexton and the imperious Paddy Bradley to wrap up what was a deserved victory.

UUJ: R Gallagher; C McGinley, E McNulty, P McGurk; R Johnson, A O'Tourke (0-1), D McCrossan; L Doyle (0-1), J McGuinness (0-2); M O'Rourke (0-1), J Toal (1-0), M Walsh (0-1); P Bradley (0-5), K Hughes (0-1), K Brady (0-1). Subs: K Donnelly for O'Rourke, E McGinley for Toal, R Sexton (0-1) for Brady.

UCD: G McGill;, B O hAnnaigh, M Breathnach, N McGuire; D Breen, D O'Hannaigh, R Kelly; N Crawford, D Hannify; S Lucey, C McManus (0-3), O O'Hannaigh; J Fallon, B McDonald (0-3), JP Casey (0-1). Subs: D Hanly (0-1) for Casey, J Lynch (0-1) for Fallon, J Byrne (1-0) for Lucey.

Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).