Sigerson Victory -
DCU GAA’s big moment is finally here
Monday 22 February 2006

DCU v QUB Datapac Sigerson Cup Final at Parnell Park. DCU players celebrating after the presentation, DCU. Photo by John Quirke

DCU CAPTURED their first Sigerson title with the help of some sharp shooting from their snappy corner-forwards, Conor Mortimer and Seanie Johnston, who scored eight points between them.

Johnston opened both halves with a scoring brace, pointing from the left boot and the right to terrify the Queen’s defence from the outset, while Mortimer, who looked dangerous every time he had the ball, really stood up to take DCU home in the final quarter.

It was a tense affair throughout but particularly in the opening half. Some fierce tackling saw a number of yellow cards issued, but the sending off of Queen’s manager James McCartan perhaps epitomised the ferocity of the first 30 minutes.

McCartan got involved in an altercation with DCU’s Brendan Egan when Egan crossed the sideline to retrieve the ball. Pushing and shoving ensued while a number of subs and players tried to restrain the former Down star, who was eventually sent to the stand by referee Michael Monahan.

The game opened with a left-footed effort from Bernard Brogan just 36 seconds into the game. Brian Mallon levelled moments later from a free but it was the subsequent shooting from Johnston, who was on target twice in the opening ten minutes, that lit up the early moments and hinted at what was to come.

Queen’s chased back however and the Belfast side pulled level after a long range effort from Michael O’Rourke and a successful solo run from Eoin McCartan that ended in the raising of the white flag.

Not long after, McCartan saw red, and it was Queen’s who were first to react to the unsettling tussle with a pointed free from O’Rourke, but Cavan’s Ronan Flanagan knocked one over for DCU to lock parity between the sides at half-time.

The second half brought two more settled teams and the niggling fouls somewhat subsided as Johnston once again turned on the panache to push DCU in front with two more points, one from a free.

The tables looked set to turn in the 39th minute when a foul on Eoin McCartan in the square gave Kevin McGourty the chance to step face to face with Dublin’s Stephen Cluxton. McGourty made no mistake from the penalty spot, driving the ball low and hard to the right hand corner of Cluxton’s net.

But it was to be Queen’s last score. Then there was Mortimer. The Mayo ace brought the game to a new level in the closing stages, replying to McGourty’s goal with a well-placed free kick and going on to convert three scores in the last 12 minutes.

Queen’s hopes of glory were dealt a further blow when midfielder Conan O’Brien was sent off following his second bookable offence, leaving Queen’s to struggle with fourteen men in the final quarter

But they could have pulled it back, they had the chances. McGovern blasted the side netting in a goal opportunity towards the end and the lax shooting of forwards Mallon and Aidan Carr didn’t help their cause.

It was DCU’s day, and they deserved it. Owen Lennon showed some exemplary fielding; Cullen was as reliable and motivating as ever; surging runs from Gary Mullins and Man of the Match Declan Lally were inspirational; and the ‘terrific two’ up front were a joy to watch.

And, while it was a historic day for DCU that will be in their GAA record books for a long time to come, it was a special day for the players themselves. It was a big win for the college, but it was also a big win for them.

“I feel great now, it’s great to have a Sigerson medal”, said Monaghan’s Lennon. When asked how it compares to anything else he has achieved: “It’s definitely up there. It’s something every player wants”.

Cullen was equally affected. “I’m ecstatic”, he said, “it’s my fifth year in DCU and I came back to do a Masters course. For years we’ve been getting knocked out in the quarter-finals…It’s so hard to compare”

And with a crop of distinguished young players and a huge push for Gaelic football within the college, it certainly does not look like this historic first time victory will be the last.

College View Sports Editor Emma Canvan