Conor P Moynagh in action v UCD last year
Saturday, February 2
Independent.ie Sigerson Cup Final**
DCU v UCD, Jordanstown, 2.30pm - Live on TG4
In many respects, it's the dream final. An all-Dublin clash between DCU and UCD, which remarkably will be the first time two sides from Ireland's capital city have met in the decider in the 105 year history of the competition.
In a Dublin context, it's a perfect match. The two biggest third level sporting institutions in the city; northside v southside; DCU, reigning champions and kings of the modern era with three titles won of the last six versus UCD, a bastion of old times now revived and chasing a first title in 20 years.
These sides met in last year's semi-final and served up a real thriller, with DCU edging through to the final thanks to Enda Smith's injured time penalty, converted after the initial shot was saved.
UCD will no doubt have revenge on their minds, but more importantly, the venerable institition - the most successful in the history of the Sigerson Cup with 32 titles - now has a first title since 1996 firmly within its sights.
John Divilly's side have been very impressive in their run to the final. They defeated NUI Galway (0-11 to 1-6) and UCC (3-11 to 1-9) to get to finals weekend, and on Friday they showed their oceans of class with a stunning 4-12 to 1-9 over an utterly classed UL.
Footballer of the Year and UCD talisman Jack McCaffrey was forced off early on in the semi-final and he is obviously a doubt for the final, although there is as of yet no official confirmation of the details of his injury. It did not look especially serious and it is likely that McCaffrey was taken off as a precaution, given that UCD were already streaking clear by that stage.
With or without the Clontarf star, UCD are deadly, as they showed on Friday. McCaffrey's fellow Dubs Michael Fitzsimons and David Byrne are key, while Stephen Coen (Mayo), Tom Hayes (Cavan), Padraic Harnan (Meath) and Ryan Wylie (Monaghan) add further to the playing riches.
Up front, John Heslin (Westmeath), Paul Mannion (Dublin), Niall Kelly (Kildare) and Conor McCarthy (Monaghan) have done plenty of damage - Kelly hit two goals in the semi-final - and DCU's considerably gifted defence will have its work cut out against an attack that would not be out of place in the latter stages of the All-Ireland Senior Championship.
If UCD are to end 20 years of hurt, they will have to do it the hard way. Niall Moyna's DCU machine are bidding for their fourth Sigerson title in seven seasons and showed just how serious they are about retaining their title by impressively defeating star-studded hosts UUJ in Friday's semi-final.
Shane Carey (Monaghan) hit a stunning haul of 1-8 in that game and he has been the absolute star man in this year's Sigerson, hitting 3-6 in the 6-14 to 0-7 Round 1 thrashing of Athlone IT and 0-7 in their efficient 0-14 to 0-7 quarter-final win over IT Carlow. That's a total score of 4-21 in three games!
While Carey is not a household name, he is surrounded by them. Consider this. Shane Carthy, Conor McHugh, David Byrne, Jack Smith (all Dublin), Conor McGraynor (Wicklow), Cian Breheny (Roscommon), Conor Moynagh (Cavan), Steven O'Brien (Tipperary), Enda Smith, Ultan Harney (both Roscommon), Diarmuid O'Connor (Mayo) and Michael Quinn (Longford) are just some of the luminaries available to DCU supremo Moyna this season.
It's a stunning line-up of talent, on both sides, and Saturday's final promises much. Anyone with a free schedule could do much worse than make the trip to Jordanstown to watch what is likely to be a game of real quality.
DCU, as mentioned earlier, are bidding for a fourth title in seven years and a second in a row while UCD are looking to win their first title since 1996, when a side featuring Trevor Giles, Brian Dooher and Ciaráin McManus defeated Garda College in the final.
What's more, a UCD win will set up the intriguing prospect of a Sigerson-Fitzgibbon double for the college, with the hurlers qualified for next weekend's Fitzgibbon finale. No college has achieved a double since UCC in 1988 while UCD's last double was way back in 1979.
