*Brian McNamara. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CREE NATIVE Brian McNamara has captained the University of Limerick to reach the Sigerson Cup final and is joined on the side by goalkeeper Tristan O’Callaghan.
UL will compete in the Sigerson Cup final for the first time since 2023 after overcoming Queen’s University Belfast 3-23 2-21 after extra time on Friday evening.
Originally scheduled to take place on Thursday evening at DCU’s sports grounds, the fixture was deferred due to a weather warning and moved to the GAA National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown.
In difficult conditions, the contributions of Mayo men, Cian McHale with 1-8 and 0-4 from Frank Irwin were significant for UL.
Captaining the UL side from midfield was Cooraclare’s Brian McNamara who kicked a point, acted as UL’s main target from kickouts and clocked up his fair share of possession. At the end of November, he led UL to win their first Division 1 senior football league title. He has been one of their star performers on their run to the final and their quest to win a historic double.
Lining out between the posts for UL was Tristan O’Callaghan of St Breckan’s. The Ballinalacken custodian has been solid between the posts all season for David Power’s side.
Despite their five point win, UL were the side to force the semi-final to extra time, Cathal Brosnan with an excellent goal in the last attack of normal time to level matters at 3-13 1-19. Queens had put themselves in a very strong position to win, they were 2-11 0-11 behind with fifteen minutes to go but were on their way to the final after outscoring their opponents 1-8 0-0 until a two pointer from Conal Dawson and Brosnan’s major arrived.
They will face UCC in the final in Croke Park on Wednesday evening. UCC overcame University of Galway 1-11 1-8 on Thursday evening. Corner forward on the University of Galway side was Clare vice captain Mark McInerney, the Éire Óg attacker finished with 0-4 to his name.
