Rough justice on Finnerty as NUIG fall to a narrow defeat

NUIG 1-14

UCC 2-12

Conor McKenna in Dangan

NUIG footballers were eliminated from the Sigerson Cup when falling to a heartbreaking one-point defeat against UCC in Dangan on Sunday.

The outcome was particularly rough justice on NUIG’s Robert Finnerty, who was magnificent throughout, scoring 1-9 and causing the UCC defence untold problems

This was an outstanding game of football, with both sides set up to attack and try and win the game, which led to an excellent spectacle for the sizeable crowd in Dangan.

The new rules were very much in effect on this occasion, as the advanced mark was used on various occasions, as was the new sin-bin rule.

NUIG a perfect start, scoring the opening four points to give themselves an early lead, with Finnerty (2) and Finian O Laoi (2) finding the target.

UCC responded superbly, however, scoring 2-1 in quick succession, with their goals coming from Galway native Rory Cunningham and James McEntee to give themselves the lead. The Cork students went onto to score the next four points in a row, as the visitors established a seven-point lead.

NUIG responded with two points from Finnerty, before UCC replied with two of their own, but the Galway college registered 1-3 without reply before the interval, starting with a superb goal from Finnerty, who caught a high ball before finishing to the net.

The hosts finished the half with three more points, as UCC held a 2-7 to 1-9 lead at half time. Cunningham and Finnerty traded scores after the interval, before UCC’s Dylan Casey was sent to the sin-bin for ten-minutes and Finnerty added another score to level proceedings.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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