Ugly scenes as Mary's exit
NUIG 0-6 St Mary's, Belfast 0-5
NUIG goalkeeper Donal O'Sullivan produced a stunning save to deny Michael Stephenson in the dying moments of a controversial clash at Dangan yesterday.
St Mary's 'keeper Niall Morgan's resultant '45' fell short, and referee Sean Carroll blew for full-time.
That prompted an angry response and disgraceful scenes as St Mary's, who were in possession and looked set for an equaliser, launched a tirade at the match officials.
Carroll had dished out six bookings during a competitive, but not especially fractious encounter.
John Maughan's NUIG led by 0-4 to 0-1 at half-time, but had Kieran Conroy sent off for a second yellow card just before the break.
St Mary's fought back, reducing the deficit to a point. But two scores from Neil Douglas restored NUIG's advantage, and although Stephenson and Niall Sludden left just the minimum between the sides with seven minutes to go, St Mary's could not fashion an equaliser.
SCORERS -- NUIG: N Douglas 0-4 (3f), J Doherty, I Galvin 0-1 each. St Mary's, Belfast: B Herron 0-2, P Harte, N Sludden, M Stephenson 0-1 each.
NUIG -- D O'Sullivan; G Sweeney, D Gavin, K McDonald; J Moore, J Maloney, R Kiely; S Guing, S Moran; F Deasmhunaigh, S Gilmartin, K Conroy; N Douglas, J Doherty, I Galvin. Subs: R Rochford for Moore (17), C Griffin for Galvin (42), D Newcombe for Deasmhnaigh (51), K Conlon for Guing (55).
St Mary's, Belfast -- N Morgan; M Slane, M Murray, D McBride; G Teague, E McArdle, C O'Hara; B Doyle, S O'Neill; J Gilmore, B Herron, D McCusker; R Sexton, P Harte, N Sludden. Sub: M Stephenson for Gilmore (42).
Ref -- S Carroll (Westmeath).
- Sigerson cup
Irish Independent
