Ronan McGeehin and Ciaran Moore play pivotal role in Ulster University Sigerson win

St Eunan’s duo Ronan McGeehin and Ciaran Moore kicked off their Sigerson Cup campaign in style, securing a comfortable victory over ATU Sligo in Round 1 with Ulster University on Tuesday 

McGeehin who was a key part in UU’s Sigerson championship victory last season played in nets, while Donegal player Moore was sprung from the bench at halftime to play a dominant role in midfield in what was an easy win for the Ulster side despite missing key players like the Canavan brothers.  

Danny Fullerton was the standout performer, scoring 1-3, with Conor Cush contributing four points. However, it was the excellent display of Down's Danny Magill who truly shone, registering five points from play, including a trio of scores in quick succession during the second half. 

ATU Sligo had three Donegal men play with Richard O’Rourke from Four Masters deployed at corner-back, while Matt Gillespie of Aodh Ruadh was stationed at right-half-forward. A third Donegal man, Kyle McNulty came on in the dying seconds of the match. 

The Sligo team struggled to find their rhythm, missing attacking duo Ross Doherty and Mark McDaniel, who were unavailable due to their All-Ireland club commitments. The hosts were kept quiet in the first half, managing just two points from play and trailing 1-6 to 0-2 at the break. 

ATU Sligo did show some fight after the break, with Conor Johnson scoring a fine goal, but the visitors quickly regained control, adding 10 more points to seal a comfortable win. 

The victory puts Ulster University on track for a strong run in the competition as they aim for their seventh Sigerson Cup title. 

Scorers for Ulster University: D Fullerton (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees); D Magill (0-5); C Cush (0-4); S Carr (1-0); L McGarrity (0-2); M Hamill, E McElholm, J Largo Ellis, E Mulholland (0-1 each). 
Scorers for ATU Sligo: M Carey (0-4, 3 frees); C Johnson (1-0); J Donlon (0-2, 2 frees); D O'Boyle (0-1). 

Ulster University: R McGeehin (St Eunan's, Donegal); D Curran (Loughmacrory, Tyrone), A Jones (Derrygonnelly, Fermanagh), F O'Brien (Devenish, Fermanagh); J Largo Ellis (Irvinestown, Fermanagh), E McEvoy (Magherafelt, Derry), D Magill (Burren, Down); S Carr (Clonduff, Down), O McCann (Killyclogher, Tyrone); C Diamond (Bellaghy, Derry), E Brown (Clonduff, Down), C Cush (Donaghmore, Tyrone); C Daly (Trillick, Tyrone), E McElholm (Loughmacrory, Tyrone), D Fullerton (Carrickmore, Tyrone). Subs: C Moore (St Eunan's, Donegal) for Jones (h/t); L McGarrity (Carrickmore, Tyrone) for Brown (45); M Hamill (Emyvale, Monaghan) for Daly (47); E Mulholland (Glen, Derry) for McEvoy (50); B Hughes (Donaghmore, Tyrone) for McElholm (54). 

ATU Sligo (Sligo unless stated): C Kilcoyne (Ballymote Round Towers); Dylan Walsh (Eastern Harps), C Johnson (Coolaney Mullinabreena), R O'Rourke (Four Masters, Donegal); R Oberwan (Allen Gaels, Leitrim), Dillon Walsh (Owenmore Gaels), K McCrann (St Mary's Kiltoghert, Leitrim); M Walsh (Owenmore Gaels), J Keaney (St Molaise Gaels, Sligo); M Gillespie (Aodh Ruadh, Donegal), M Carey (Clonguish, Longford), J Donlon (Drumcliffe Rosses Point); E Shehu (Cavan Gaels, Cavan), D O'Boyle (Calry St Josephs), J Lavin (Ballymote Round Towers). Subs: F Ryan (Belmullet, Mayo) for Gillespie (38); J Davitt (St Molaise Gaels) for Donlon and F Shehu (Cavan Gaels, Cavan) for McCrann (45); J Casey (St Mary's Kiltoghert) for E Shehu (60); K McNulty (Aodh Ruadh, Donegal) for Oberwan (61). 

Referee: L Devenney (Mayo).