Downings pair Gallagher and McGroddy play their part as DCU claim Sigerson Cup

Downings duo Ronan Gallagher and Johnny McGroddy were a part of the DCU football side who captured their sixth Sigerson Cup following their 1-16 to 3-6 win over Dublin rivals UCD on Wednesday evening.

It's the north Dublin University's first Sigerson final win since 2020 when St Naul's and Donegal player Brendan McCole captained the side to victory when they overcame an IT Carlow by seven points.

Gallagher was stationed at centre half-back while McGroddy came off the bench 10 minutes from time, with Kilcar senior ladies player Amy McGinley part of the backroom team. Termon native Bobby McGettigan was a part of the UCD panel, being named among the substitutes. 

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UCD’s Darragh McElearney grabbed a late stoppage-time goal to add some respectability to the scoreline, but his side had been thoroughly outclassed for much of the contest.

Ryan O’Toole’s early goal had initially disrupted DCU’s promising start, which saw points from Greg McEneaney and Ethan Dunne give the underdogs a boost in confidence.

John Divilly’s men began to gain a foothold in possession, with Luke Breathnach, Cormac Egan, and especially Callum Bolton making an impact in midfield. However, wasteful finishing and poor shot selection proved costly.

Roscommon’s Daire Cregg and Ben O’Carroll, who had impressed in earlier rounds, struggled to replicate that form.

Breathnach was one of UCD’s few bright sparks, scoring a point and assisting another for Theo Clancy, but cracks were beginning to show. Meanwhile, DCU were far more clinical, taking higher-quality scoring opportunities.

Early in the second half, Conor Heffernan and Niall Dolan nudged DCU ahead, and when Dunne powered through a heavy shoulder challenge before driving a low shot past Killian Roche at the near post seven minutes after the restart, their lead extended to five points.

Bolton hit back with a goal to keep UCD in the fight, but DCU had seized control of midfield. A steady supply of quick ball allowed Tom Prior, Darragh Swords, and Lorcan O’Dell to pick off scores, with DCU rattling off five unanswered points.

UCD’s attack remained stifled, struggling to find clear openings and racking up wides. By the time McElearney managed to punch in a third goal from an Aaron Lynch effort, DCU’s victory was beyond doubt.