An Oisín McConvill-led Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) side earned their first ever Sigerson Cup win over Trinity’s senior footballers in Santry yesterday. Following a difficult league campaign, Trinity’s players came into the game looking to get their season back on track.
However, it wasn’t to be as the back to back Trench Cup winners dispatched Trinity with a stylish performance. Something of an unknown quantity coming into the clash, the visitors were always seemingly a step ahead of the home side, and will face Dublin City University (DCU) next week.
Playing fast, free flowing football, the visitors started quickly, claiming a pointed free early doors. DKIT had soon built up a comfortable three-point cushion with scores from Donal Meegan, Gerry McSorley and Conor Doherty. Points by James McGuinness and Dylan Brady briefly narrowed the gap for Trinity, before a fantastic point from DKIT danger man, Gerry McSorley, restored the visitor’s cushion.
Trinity’s players were struggling to carve out meaningful chances for themselves, hampered by an inability to move the ball quickly into their forwards. Meanwhile full-forward Bryan McGee was being isolated on the edge of the square as he was starved of possession.
As the first half drew to a close the visitors started to pull away, hitting 1-5 without reply and putting the Trinity defence under enormous pressure. It was David McGivney who rose above the Trinity full-back line to punch home a Shea Hoey line ball, while McSorley and Colm Meegan added well-taken points to their own tallies, giving DKIT a commanding 1-13 to four points lead at half time.
Trinity started the second half positively, with James McGuinness opening the scoring with a well-taken free. However, DKIT quickly regained the initiative, forcing a good save from Trinity keeper Michael Shiel.
As tempers began to fray in the closing stages, Trinity’s woes were compounded when centre forward Eoin O’Neill was dismissed. Through in truth the result was in little doubt by this point. Trinity pushed hard for a goal in the closing moments, with James Guinness coming close when he blazed a 14-yard free over the bar after a goalmouth scramble.
However, late DKIT points from David McLoughlin and Kevin Traynor ensured that the visitors emerged comfortable 1-18 to 10 points winners. They advance to the quarter-final stage, where they will face a much fancied DCU side next week.
