Ulster University made a big statement that they aim to reclaim their Sigerson Cup title as they proved too strong for the challenge of ATU Sligo on Tuesday evening.
This was the only Sigerson Cup match that didn’t fall short due to the poor weather throughout the country.
Conor Crush opened the scoring with the opening score after eight minutes of play and by the 14th minute, they had raced into a three-point lead with a brace coming from Danny Fullerton.
The home side eventually got off the mark with a free Matthew Carey to cut the deficit.
The visitors put themselves in control of proceedings as they scored 1-2 without reply, the goal coming on 26 minutes as Senan Carr got on the end of a fine team move.
James Donlon did reply with a free but a point from the impressive Danny Magill ensured the Ulster University lead at the break by seven points.
Conor Crush opened the scoring to extend the lead inside a minute of the second-half but ATU Sligo’s response was almost immediate with Donlon adding a second free.
The match was put beyond doubt when Fullerton was fouled and the referee awarded a penalty, which was expertly converted by Carrickmore man Fullerton.
ATU Sligo did try to get back into the match, firstly with a free from Carey and then a super goal from full-back Conor Johnston who fired to the net on 39 minutes but that would be as close as the home side would get.
In the final 20 minutes, the current holders added a further ten points compared to the hosts’ three points.
Magill would account for three of these scores and he was a standout performer.
Scorers – Ulster University: Danny Fullerton 1-3; Danny Magill 0-5; Conor Crush 0-4; Senan Carr 1-0; Lorcan McGarrity 0-2; Josh Largo Ellis, Michael Hammill, Eunan Mulholland, Eoin McElholm 0-1 each. ATU Sligo: Matthew Carey 0-4,3fs; Conor Johnston 1-0; James Donlon 0-2,2fs; Daire O’Boyle 0-1.
Ulster University: R McGeehin; D Curran, A Jones, F O’Brien; J Largo Ellis, E McEvoy, D Magill ; S Carr, O McCann; C Diamond, E Brown, C Crush, C Daly, E McElholm, Danny Fullerton. Subs: C Moore for A Jones ht, L McGarrity 43; M Hammi for C Daly 47; E Mulholland for E McElholm 50; B Hughes for E McEvoy 56.
ATU Sligo: C Kilcoyne; D Walsh, C Johnston, R O’Rourke; M Walsh, R Oberwan, D Walsh; K McCrann, M Gillespie; J Keaney, M Carey, J Donlon ; E Shehu , D O’Boyle, J Lavin. Subs: J Davitt for J Donlon 44; F Shehu for K McCann 48; J Casey for E Shehu 52; K McNulty for R O’Rourke 55; A Browne for M Gillespie 58.
Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo).