DCU win All-Ireland Freshers A title in six goal thriller
DCU won the All-Ireland Freshers' A title defeating UCD in a six goal thriller by 3-11 to 3-10 at Croke Park on Monday afternoon (February 15th).
It completes an All-Ireland league and cup double for DCU with Barry Kerr, also becoming the first captain to receive the Corn Daithi Billings Cup, honouring the memory of the late Dave Billings, who passed away last April. Dave Billings was a highly respected GAA officer in UCD and key figure in third level GAA.
It was UCD who started the brighter of the two sides with two early points, but a Ronan Jones goal for DCU cancelled their early advantage.
Momentum swung either way in the opening stages but it was DCU who led at the break 1-6 to 1-4 courtesy of three unanswered points from Matthew Ruane (0-01) and Brian Reape (0-02).
DCU started the second half in blistering fashion hitting 1-1`with Reape on target for the goal and moving DCU into a 2-8 to 1-7 lead. UCD’s Barry McGinn kept his side in contention with frees but it was DCU who dominated, hitting another 1-2 without reply with a Rory Feely goal putting them 3-11 to 1-9 ahead with eight minutes remaining.
Late goals by Cillian O’Shea and Darragh Lafferty cut the deficit but DCU held on to claim the title.
Yesterday’s win kicks off a busy week in the university GAA calendar with upcoming action in football and hurling.
On Wednesday (February 17th) the Fresher C football team play DKIT in the All-Ireland semi-final at 2.00pm in DCU; the Fresher B side are in quarter-final action later that evening against UCD at 7.30pm in Belfield. In Ladies Football, DCU are away to Maynooth at 8.00pm in the O’Connor Cup group stages while DCU Ladies Third team face Queens at 6.00pm in DCU.
This Thursday, the Fresher A Hurling side play UCC at 4.00pm in the Mardyke while in Ladies Football there is action in the Giles Cup as DCU play Mary Immaculate at 7.00pm in DCU.
On Friday, DCU travel to play Jordanstown in the Sigerson Cup semi-final. Throw in is at 3.00pm in the University of Ulster.