Large crowds gathered at Maguire’s Fields last Wednesday night as UL showed their strength across both codes, securing spots in the Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cup semi-finals. With inter-county star power on show throughout, UL’s hurlers and footballers both delivered at home to keep their respective championship ambitions firmly on track.
UL entered the Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final as overwhelming favourites and initially looked set to justify that billing. They raced into an early lead with Darragh McCarthy and Adam Screeney prominent in attack. However, UCC responded impressively after a nervy opening, growing steadily into the contest through the influence of Hugh O’Connor, Darragh Stakelum and William Buckley.
Despite struggling with accuracy in the opening half, the Cork side showed resilience and quality befitting their storied Fitzgibbon history, trimming UL’s lead to just two points at the break, 0-8 to 0-6, aided by a superb Paudie O’Sullivan save and an improving midfield battle.
After the restart, UL’s greater efficiency began to tell as they asserted control, punishing UCC misses and key defensive lapses. Adam English produced the score of the game under intense pressure, while Diarmuid Stritch and Jack O’Neill kept the scoreboard ticking as the gap widened in the final quarter.
UCC battled hard but were unable to stem UL’s momentum, with late red cards for Eoin Downey and Michael Mullaney compounding their difficulties as the home side pulled clear for a deserved victory.
Meanwhile in the Sigerson Cup, UL’s hopes of adding a first-ever title to their maiden Division One league success earlier this winter remain alive. Daithí Hogan’s dramatic late goal forced extra-time when defeat looked inevitable against Maynooth.
UL had started brightly, surging into an early lead with a fluent attacking spell that yielded 1-6, but their momentum soon evaporated. Maynooth gradually seized control through strong midfield play, defensive intensity and the influence of Aaron Browne, while Cian Burke’s penalty save and sustained pressure exposed a prolonged UL scoring drought that allowed the visitors to build what appeared to be a decisive lead late in normal time.
Extra-time proved chaotic and ultimately decisive. Despite appearing to gain the upper hand when UL were reduced to 14 men, Maynooth were undone by missed chances and a series of pivotal moments, including Hugh O’Loughlin’s goal and a Cian McHale two-pointer that swung the contest firmly back in UL’s favour.
A 3rd goal just before the half-time break in extra-time @ul_gaa 3-10 (19) vs 0-16 (16) @MaynoothUniGAA
Watch for FREE on 📺 https://t.co/G2kW3BZRLN#ULGAATV #BelongToThePack #PerformHQ pic.twitter.com/jJoiMITjFg
— UL GAA Club (@ul_gaa) January 28, 2026
With confidence restored, UL rediscovered their scoring touch through Hogan, Michael Freaney and Killian Butler, while Maynooth failed to convert late scoring opportunities. In the end, UL’s late surge and ruthlessness in extra time proved just enough to snatch victory and keep their historic Sigerson ambitions alive.
With the GAA confirming that both finals will return to Croke Park this year, UL will be eager to continue their momentum and book a place at headquarters. The hurlers will defend their title next Wednesday when they host the University of Galway in the semi-final at 8. Meanwhile, the footballers will face Queen’s University Belfast in DCU next Thursday evening at 6:30 It promises to be an exciting climax to the campaign for two talented UL sides.