Queen’s University Belfast 1-14 | Ulster University 0-12
The Antrim duo of Cathal Hyndes and Ryan McQuillan were involved in Wednesday evening’s Belfast Siggerson Cup derby between Ulster University and Queens University which was played under terrible conditions at Jordanstown. In a hard fought and really entertaining game Queens produced a brilliant late rally to snatch victory in injury time with a brillintly struck 2pointer from Derry’s Anton Tohill and a late goal from corner back Joey Clarke to seal their team a quarter-final spot.
The Turning Point
The game hung in the balance entering injury time. Ulster University, who had trailed for most of the contest, had clawed their way into the lead (0-12 to 0-11) by the 50th minute. However, Queen’s refused to fold.
After Ronan Cassidy leveled the scoring with a free, Anton Tohill stepped up. Defying the elements, he landed a massive 2pointer to catapult Queen’s into the lead. Moments later, defender Joey Clarke raided forward to bury a goal, putting a gloss on the scoreline that barely reflected the tightness of the struggle.
Queen’s were outplayed for a good part of the opening half, but with the strong wind behind them they got the better of their Belfast rivals, Ryan McQuillan hitting five points to help steer them towards an 0–8 to 0-05 half time lead.
Second Half: The UU Fightback
Ulster University emerged with renewed intent after the break. The half featured a unique family battle as Bellaghy’s Luke Diamond (QUB) faced his brother Charlie Diamond (UU).
- Charlie Diamond dragged UU back into contention with a two-pointer of his own.
- A two-point score from Ben Cullen leveled the game at 0-11 apiece.
- When McCullagh pointed a 50th-minute free, UU led for the first time, but they could not hold off the late Queen’s blitz.
Quarter-Final Outlook: Queen’s University now advance to the last eight. They will join the seeded draw alongside TU Dublin, UCD, UCC, and UL.
Teams and Scorers
Queen’s University Belfast (QUB)
- Scorers: R McQuillan 0-5 (2tpf), A Tohill 0-2 (1tpf), C Higgins 0-2, R Cassidy 0-2 (1f), J Clarke 1-0, C O’Neill 0-1, L Diamond 0-1, N Grimes 0-1.
- Team: A Lee; J Clarke, M Ennis, O Campbell; J McGurk, C O’Neill, D Scullion; C Hynds, A Tohill; C Higgins, R Cassidy, L Diamond; N Grimes, M Burnett, R McQuillan.
- Subs: L McManus for McQuillan (49), N Duffy for L Diamond (63).
Ulster University (UU)
- Scorers: R McCullagh 0-6 (5f), B Cullen 0-2 (1tp), C Diamond 0-1 (1tp), D McDermott 0-1, C O’Brien 0-1.
- Team: R Burns; F O’Brien, L Kelly, R Boyle; B Cullen, R Nugent, J Donaghy; S Carr, G Mohan; J McDermott, R Magill, D McDermott; C Diamond, C O’Brien, R McCullagh.
- Subs: H Magill for Kelly (HT), L Hughes for J McDermott (36), C Daly for Donaghy (42), J Doran for C O’Brien (50).
Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone)