SIGERSON CUP FIRST ROUND: UL 2-10 Carlow 2-9:ENDA VARLEY was the UL hero when his superbly taken point 10 seconds from the end gave his side victory in a highly competitive tie at Plassey.

An indication of how keenly the game was contested is the fact referee Mike Meade – who had a splendid outing – flashed eight yellow cards, four to each side.

At half time, UL led by a point, 1-5 to 1-4, with the Carlow goal coming after only four minutes when Michael Tierney created space for wing forward Craig Rodgers to blast low past goalkeeper Niall Doonan.

UL had to wait until the 27th minute to get back the lead they held briefly after a minute. But a splendidly taken goal by Paul Larkin gave them their narrow interval lead, 1-5 to 0-4.

A UL goal from a penalty by Mike Tim O’Sullivan had the home side five points clear but Carlow had a second goal by JJ Smith as the sides continued to trade points in a rain-marred second half.

UL:N Doonan; F Fitzgerald, C O'Mahoney, R Brady; S Lonergan, G O'Donnell, D Rattigan; S O'Shea (0-2), A Moloney; F Coffey (0-1); P Austin, P Larkin (1-0), E Varley (0-4), D Niblock, MT O'Sullivan (1-3, 1-0 pen, one free). Subs: K Smith for O'Mahony (15 mins), J O'Reilly for Doonan (23 mins), J Lyne for Brady (41 mins).

CARLOW IT:C Swaine; S George, J Roche, L Hiney; N Kilcoyne, G Hanrahan, C Boyle; K Meaney, S Gannon; C Rodgers (0-2), JJ Smith (1-0), J Finn (0-1); J Doyle (0-2, one free), W Heffernan, M Tierney (1-4).

Referee:M Meade (Ballylanders).