Tipperary GAA has new All-Ireland champions after UL final victory in Croke Park

Higher Education Sigerson Cup Final

University of Limerick 0-17

University College Cork 1-11

Tipperary's football fraternity had a huge part to play as the University of Limerick have claimed the Sigerson Cup Higher Education Gaelic football title for the first time in their history following a deserved 0-17 to 1-11 victory over UCC at Croke Park on Wednesday night.

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Manager David Power added to his extensive and impressive CV by leading the Limerick college to their first ever Fitzgibbon Cup success, with a brilliant win over Sigerson kingpins UCC in a tightly fought contest.

Players from the Premier also played key roles, with Charlie King (Ballina) having a fine game at wing back, while Daithi Hogan (St Patrick's) had an important cameo from the bench with two vital scores in the second half, helping the side to victory.

Other players from the Premier who have featured heavily throughout the successful campaign were Michael Freaney (Kilsheelan Kilcash), Killian Butler (Moyle Rovers) along with Paddy O'Keefe (Moyle Rovers), and James Morris (Clonmel Commercials).

The sides had been level 0-9 to 1-6 at half-time at GAA headquarters. UL had lost Sigerson Cup deciders in both 2022 and again in 2023 when the Castletroy-based side suffered a narrow defeat to UCC.

UL are captained by Clare's Brian McNamara - the only current player in their group who featured in the narrow 2023 final loss.

There will also be a significant Tipperary contingent in action on Friday as UL will be hoping to complete a Sigerson Cup Fitzgibbon Cup double this Friday when they face local rivals Mary Immaculate College in the hurling decider back at Croke Park, 7.35 pm, live on TG4.

Scorers: UL: Cian McHale (0-5, 0-2f), Ciarán Collins, Daithí Hogan, Cathal Ryan, Cathal Brosnan 0-2 each, Sean Morahan, Brian McNamara, Frank Irwin, Conal Dawson all 0-1 each.

UCC: Ciarán Santry 1-1, Conor Daly (0-3, 0-2f), Cormac Dillon (0-2, 0-1f), Austin Murphy 0-1 45, Michael McSweeney, Tom Cunningham, Olan Corcoran, Ruairí Murphy all 0-1 each.

UL: Tristan O'Callaghan (St Breckan's, Clare); Tommy Walsh (Kanturk, Cork), Thomas Ross (Curry, Sligo), Ben Dempsey (Portlaoise, Laois); Paddy O'Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers, Cork), Seán Morahan (Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo), Charlie King (Ballina, Tipperary); Brian McNamara (Cooraclare, Clare), Ciaran Collins (Rathmore, Kerry); Conal Dawson (Westport, Mayo), Jack McCabe (Corofin, Galway), Cathal Ryan (Rathmore, Kerry); Cathal Brosnan (Currow, Kerry), Cian McHale (Moy Davitts, Mayo), Frank Irwin (Ballina Stephenites, Mayo).

Subs used: Thomas O'Donnell (Castlegregory, Kerry) for Irwin (43); Daithí Hogan (St Patrick's, Tipperary) for McCabe (43); Hugh O'Loughlin (Kilmaine, Mayo) for Brosnan (46); Jack Melvin (Davitts, Mayo) for Dempsey (56), Cillian Campbell (St Barry's, Roscommon) for Collins (64).

UCC (Cork unless stated): Austin Murphy (Renard, Kerry); Dan Peet (Clonakilty), Jacob O'Driscoll (Valley Rovers), Darragh O'Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks, Kerry); Liam Evans (Keel, Kerry), Colin Molloy (Nemo Rangers), Chris Kenneally (Clonakilty); Michael McSweeney (Knocknagree), Tom Cunningham (Kilshannig); Ruairí Murphy (Listry, Kerry), Emmet Daly (Valentia, Kerry), James Horgan (Firies, Kerry); Cormac Dillon (Duagh, Kerry), Conor Daly (Clonakilty), Ciaran Santry (Carbery Rangers).

Subs used: Donncha Desmond (Ballincollig) for Horgan (44); Tomás O'Mahony (Castlehaven) for Kenneally (46); Olan Corcoran (St Mary's) for E Daly (52); David Buckley (Douglas) for C Daly (55); Gary Holland (Bishopstown) for McSweeney (58).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)

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