Murphy's wonder point puts a pep in DCU's step to semi-final meeting with DIT

DCU 2-10 UCD 0-6:Donegal's 2012 All-Ireland-winning captain Michael Murphy produced a moment of stunning brilliance yesterday as Dublin City University marched into the semi-finals of the Sigerson Cup.

Murphy scored a magnificent 35th-minute point, flicking the ball over UCD and Dublin star Rory O’Carroll before arcing over a wonderful score off the outside of his right boot as the holders set up a semi-final meeting with Dublin IT.

But UCD were unhappy with referee David Gough in yesterday’s Dublin derby, as the man in the middle sent off two of their players in a four-minute spell in the second half.

Mayo’s Kevin McLoughlin was first to walk in the 40th minute, for a second bookable offence, with Laois man Donie Kingston dismissed four minutes later on a straight red card.

UCD were three points down at the time and cut the gap back to just two when Niall Murray pointed. But DCU, minus club-tied Ballymun Kickhams pair Dean Rock and James McCarthy, outscored their opponents by 1-6 to 0-1 in the final 15 minutes, with Dublin ace Paul Flynn collecting Murphy’s offload in the 45th minute before cracking home a super goal.

Murphy was DCU’s first half goalscorer as he netted a contentious 22nd-minute penalty.

UCD claimed O’Carroll had fouled Murphy outside the large parallelogram but Gough awarded the penalty and the towering full forward obliged, despite the best efforts of UCD goalkeeper Eoghan Keogh.

At half-time, DCU were 1-2 to 0-3 clear, having played against the breeze from the start. UCD brought plenty of commitment and heart but losing McLoughlin and Kingston was a blow. Speaking about his wonder point, Murphy modestly said: “It was just one of those things that go for you sometimes.”

Of more concern to him was the eligibility saga that ruled his Donegal team-mate Michael Boyle and Cork’s Aidan Walsh out of this year’s Sigerson Cup.

“When did we stop people playing our own games? I understand if they put an age limit on it with the amount of years you’re allowed to play Sigerson but stopping players playing?

“We’re trying to encourage people to play Gaelic games, to stay in the country, get an education. They’re doing that and universities are providing them with a wee bit of support.

“Why would universities provide them with support from now on?

“But it’s done and dusted and I’m sure the two boys want to move on.

“Everyone wants to move on.”