UCD OVERCOME MAYNOOTH IN HARDING CUP THRILLER
The Harding cup holders Maynooth University failed in their bid to retain the Irish Universities competition for first year students when they ended up on the wrong side of a dramatic penalty shootout, losing out to UCD 7-6 following nine series of spot kicks.
The thrilling tie between these two talented sides ended on two goals apiece after an Eoin Hanley first half goal gave Maynooth the half time advantage.
By John Hudson
Two quick goals after the break from the impressive Danny Norris, the first from the penalty spot, had the Belfield side in front.
That lead lasted less than five minutes as Hanley levelled with a well struck penalty awarded for handball that appeared to have been committed outside the box.
After that the game developed into a thrilling end to end affair with both sides having chances to score but to no avail.
The tie was finally decided when UCD ‘keeper Nikolay Georgeiv saved from Daniel O’Mahony and full back Daniel Mc Carthy kept his cool to fire past Sam Clarke and set up a semi-final against Dublin rivals Trinity College to-morrow.
Trinity came from behind in the closing minutes to edge out DCU with two late goals.
Cathal Dowd got DCU off to a bright start tucking home the opener after great work by full back Fionn Kenny, a son of Ireland manager Stephen.
That lead lasted till late in the second half when Trinity stuck to clinch the 2-1 win. Mario Creed levelled and Hugh Nicholls fired home the winner.
University of Limerick had it all too easy and comfortably brushed aside the challenge of Ulster University to notch up six goals without reply.
Leon Daly, Raid Mauras, Fionn O'Connor, Alex Sidereov, Eoghan Burke and Dylan Moriarty were all on target for UL.
It was a similar affair when the home side took on UCC on their familiar patch at Dangan.
Despite a goal apiece from Conall McGabhan and Ronan Jennings the Cork boys were in fine form and had little trouble scoring seven times for a comfortable 7-2 victory over a stunned University of Galway.
The goals coming from Jamie Dineen 2, Sean Condron, Garvan Twomey, Jake Mallon, Sean Keane, Eoghan O’Sullivan.
Fixtures for Tuesday January 31
Irish Universities Harding Cup
(Semi Finals)
University of Limerick v UCC, Knocknacarra FC (11.0).
Trinity College Dublin v UCD, Knocknacarra FC (2.0)
Irish Universities Spillane Cup
(Semi Finals)
DCU v Maynooth University, Dangan (11.0).
Ulster University v University of Galway, Dangan (2.0).
