UU blown away as high scoring Donegal make history

Conor McGurk Cup final at the DUB Arena

Donegal 5-28 Ulster University 0-21

Donegal hurlers made a bit of history at the Dub on Thursday evening when they won the Conor McGurk Cup for the first time. The Tir Connail men were in top form, scoring 5 goals and 28 points as they put a disappointing UU team to the sword. In fairness to the students they had been preparing all season for the Ryan Cup, which was held two weeks ago and probably were not in the best frame of mind for such a challenge. In truth that probably would not have mattered either way as Donegal were in superb form on the night and would have put it up to any team.

**Donegal cpatin Bernard Lafferty, accepting his man of the match award from Gavan Duffy of QUB while looking on are Paula McGurk and Ulster GAA Vice Chair Michael Geoghegan. Pic by Bert Trowlen**

Donegal flew out of the traps from the start and led brilliantly by man of the match Liam McKinney they were 1-7 to 0-3 ahead by the 18^th minute, the goal coming from corner forward Ronan McDermott. UU fought back with two points from Kevin Curran and one from Aaron Bradley but there was no stopping the Donegal men who pushed on to lead by 2-12 to 0-8 at the break, the second goal coming from a man with strong Antrim connections, Ruairi Campbell.

**UU’s corner back Mark McClean in action against Donegal’s Ruairi Campbell during the Conor McGurk Cup final at the QUB Dub Arena. Pic by Bert Trowlen**

There was no let-up in the pace at the start of the second half as Donegal added a goal and five points in the first six minutes, to a single point from the students. The Jordanstown side ha brief spell when Aaron Bradley hit two, Caolan McKernan and Declan McCloskey, who had moved up from full back at the start of the second half, got one apiece, but it was to be a brief respite as the scores kept coming at the other end. Ryan, McKinney, McKeogh and O’Laughlin all getting in on the act

Bradley, McCloskey, and Cloney Gaels Colla McDonnell added to the UU tally but Donegal finished in style with points from Campbell, McKinney and Gartland and a Darragh O’Malley goal to seal a highly impressive win.

DONEGAL

Luke White, Stephen McBride, Michael Donahue, Padraig Doherty, Gavin Browne, Bernard Lafferty, Ryan Hilferty, Conor Gartland, Jack O’Loughlin, Liam McKinney, Ronan McDermott, Brian McIntyre, Ruairi Campbell, Rithcie Ryan, Gerry Gilmore.

ULSTER UNIVERSITY

Pearse Smyth, Mark McClean, Declan McCloskey, Kevin Curran, Caolan McKernan, Aodhan O’Brien, Tom Scally, Eoghan Cassidey, Finn Turpin, Ciaran Magill, Deaghlan Mallon, John Kennedy, Danna McKeogh, Luca McCusker, Aaron Bradley.

Subs – Colla McDonnell

Referee – Kevin Parke (Antrim)