Flood shows St Mary's the gate in Sigerson final

St Brigid's Michael Flood produced an outstanding display for UCC as the Billy Morgan trained Cork college claimed the Sigerson Cup for the 22nd time on Wednesday night with a 0-16 to 1-9 victory over Belfast's St Mary's at Portlaoise.
Curraha and Meath star James McEntee was ruled out of the final and is likely to miss Saturday night's NFL Div 2 clash with Cork after picking up a hamstring injury in the Sigerson Cup semui-final win over NUI Galway.
However Flood from Ballinacree fitted seamlessly into a strong UCC full-back line that limited St Mary's to just six scores from play, three of them coming from Derry centre-forward Shane McGuigan.
2017 champions St Mary’s, who stunned pre-tournament favourites UCD in the semi-final, trailed by four points early in the second-half but were back on level terms by the 48th minute after a strong third quarter. 
The Belfast college had already lost Aaron Boyle to a red card issued by Meath referee David Gough by that stage and UCC outscored their opponents by 0-5 to 0-1 in the closing stages to seal the victory.
Kerry attacker Sean O'Shea was the star turn for UCC as he kicked seven points, five from frees, but it was his overall contribution abnd inventiveness that ensured Morgan's men reclaimed the title for the first time since 2014.
Early frees from O'Shea put UCC in early command, but Tyrone man Ryan Coleman's 16th minute fortunate goal gave the Ulster side hope before UCC settled again to lead 0-9 to 1-3 at the break.
Ryan MacOscair and Michael Rooney closed the gap to a point by the 43rd minute, but then they lost Armagh's Boyle to a red card and even though McGuigan did bring them level it was UCC who finished stronger to ensure at least two smiling Meath men in the Rebel County this week.