LABELLING this tie ‘defence against attack’ would be unfair to both teams, but holders Ulster University know their backs will be fully tested by DCU’s scoring power.
The Glasnevin side are averaging 22.5 points per game in this Sigerson Cup – and almost 26 ppg if you take out their one-point loss to arch-rivals UCD, 1-11 to 1-10.
Before that round 2A defeat DCU had thrashed MTU Kerry by 2-22 to 0-11, then went on to see off ATU Sligo by 3-14 to 0-10, followed by a 4-14 to 3-13 quarter-final victory over TUS Midlands.
In contrast, UU have averaged 16 points from their three games, although they did win their opener against Sligo by the same margin as DCU, on a very similar scoreline of 2-17 to 0-10.
UU joint-manager Barry Dillon is well aware of the threat posed by high-scoring DCU, commenting: “They’ve got five or six Dublin county seniors; Lorcan O’Dell came off the bench and scored a goal for them the other day, so that’s the strength they have, that they can bring someone of his calibre on.
“They’ve got maybe 10 counties represented, county seniors as well, so they’ve serious depth and quality, which we all know. Three Dublin teams in the semi-finals is no coincidence, they’re another heavyweight team.
“Obviously you have to look at them and plan for them, but our defence is pretty good and we can score at the other end too. We’re hoping we have the answers to them. It’s definitely going to be a step up on what we’ve encountered so far.”
Ulster’s full-back line is not well-known, comprising Dara Curran of Loughmacrory, Truagh’s Louis Kelly, and Fionan O’Brien of Fermanagh - but they’re behind a half-back line of established Erne County man Josh Largo Elis, Eoin McEvoy of Derry, and Down’s Danny Magill.
Dillon says that blend exemplifies UU’s approach: “We always carry half county men, half club men – but they’re good, seasoned club men who probably will become county men as time goes on. It allows you to deal with most situations.”
The loss of Monaghan attacker Michael Hamill to a knee injury at the weekend is a setback with UU hoping that Tyrone star Ruairi Canavan might be available again after a concussion absence.
If not, others will get their chance, says Dillon: “We do have good strength-in-depth, that’s what we planned to have. Quality players are hard to come by too, though, so you want as many of them as you can get.”
Other Tyrone forwards have already played their parts, notably Conor Cush and Ciaran Daly, while Down’s Odhran Murdock and Ryan Magill add to UU’s scoring power.
With a hurling weekend coming up in the Allianz League, the university sides have some rare breathing space, which is welcomed by Dillon:
“Getting to the semi-final is a big thing. You hope to have your full deck available. The extra day is good too, that allows a bit more time for recovery from their weekend exertions.
“The county managers, in fairness, won’t train our boys as intensely as the others, there’s a bit of commonsense to get through these difficult few weeks.”
Ahead of what’s expected to be third close encounter for UU, after narrow wins over University of Limerick and then Maynooth, Dillon hopes their recent experiences will stand to them:
“There’s nothing like those tight battles in championship to bring a team together. Add in the fact that you have a small window of opportunity with university teams and it brings them that bit closer.
“The experiences of last year, all the battles we came through, means it’s a tight-knit group, with the new fellas coming in and putting their shoulders to the wheel.”
Yet he would rather not be sweating on the sideline, he says with a laugh: “Bringing it to the wire every time you might get caught at last, so we don’t want to leave it to the last few minutes.”
He’s unlikely to get his wish, though, with a battle to the long whistle anticipated if UU are to maintain their hold on the trophy.
