Mayo player helps UL secure a place in the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup final

Mayo's Eoghan McLaughlin scored a cracking goal that firmly sealed the University of Limerick's place in this year's Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup final.

Leading by 2-10 to 0-12 against DCU, the Westport man got on the end of a quick UL breakaway to arrow a shot into the top corner of David O'Hanlon's goal.

It left DCU with a mountain to climb with just over five minutes of regulation time remaining and the fight was gone from them, UL running out 3-12 to 0-12 winners in the end.

It's a second successive final for UL, who were beaten in last year's decider by University of Galway. The Limerick college exacted revenge for that defeat by knocking University of Galway out at the quarterfinal stage of this season's competition last week.

In last night's semi-final at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow, Clare's Ciarán Downes, with an opportuist strike, and Aaron Griffin were the scorers of the first two goals for UL, with Downes setting up McLaughlin for the third.

Despite the scoreline, it was an even enough game in general play. Downes' goal turned the contest in UL's favour and by half-time they were 1-7 to 0-4 ahead.

DCU recovered after the break and were making a comeback, with the gap down to three points at one stage. Griffin's goal doubled the margin but again DCU responded, making it a three-point game (2-8 to 0-11) once more before UL moved through the gears, McLaughlin's goal putting them firmly in command of the contest.

As well as McLaughlin, the UL panel features Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis), Ronan Reilly (Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin), Frank Irwin (Ballina Stephenites), Jack Mahon (Charlestown) and Connell Dempsey (Knockmore).

UL will meet Munster rivals UCC in the final after they overcame the challenge of TU Dublin in their last four encounter.

The Cork college held off TU Dublin's late surge to win by 1-12 to 0-13 in Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow. Cian Hanley from Ballaghaderreen was part of the TU Dublin panel but didn't make an appearance in last night's semi-final.