UCD had to strike late to secure their place in the quarter-final of the 2026 Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup, with the Stephenites own Sam Callinan’s goal after 55 minutes and a two-pointer from Michael McIvor pushing them over the line in Belfield against Maynooth University.
 
James Harris goaled for Maynooth after seven minutes but UCD caught fire in spectacular fashion in reply, plundering 2-3 in the space of just three minutes. Joe Quigley and Darragh Railly hit the goals in between points for Peter Duffy, Luke Breathnach and Quigley, but in a game that swung over and back to really entertain the crowd in south Dublin, a Charlie O’Connor two-pointer and Eoin Cully gave the lead back to Maynooth almost as quickly.
 
Two up at the interval, Aaron Browne split the posts from inside and outside the arc to stretch that gap to five but UCD outscored their visitors by 1-10 to 0-3 from then on, Quigley adding two more points from play with Mayo’s Niall Hurley also on song, scoring 0-4.
 

Frank Irwin's UL are also straight into the last eight while reigning champions DCU couldn’t find the form that saw them cruise past Ulster University in what looked like a real heavyweight first round contest. Even with UL's league win late last year taken into account, DCU would have seen themselves as strong favourites, as defending champions on home soil. When they rattled off four unanswered points to begin the game, it appeared as though a routine win was en route.
 
UL were excellent for the remainder of the first half however, prevailing by 1-11 to 0-2 to lead by eight at the break.
 
Cian McHale spearheaded UL from full-forward, while Frank Irwin contributed 0-3 from corner forward, on a night when their attacking game was in full flow.

Among Irwin's scores was a superb two-pointer as UL clicked into gear.

Brian McNamara’s goal five minutes before half-time put David Power’s side into the driving seat and aside from a fine two-point kick from Ethan Dunne, Frank Irwin, McHale and another Mayo panellist, Seán Morahan, continued to run the show and keep DCU at bay with relative ease. In total, 16 out of 19 scores were recorded by Mayo players. Ultimately, the Limerick college ran out surprisingly comprehensive winners, by a final scoreline of 1-18 to 0-12, making a massive statement of their intentions to go all the way after their league win late last year.
 
 Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup Roundup