DCU and DIT meet in the first semi-final of this years Irish Daily Mail Sigerson Cup, in Athlone IT this Friday afternoon at 12.45. This battle between the reigning champions, DCU, and the Ryan Cup holders, DIT promises to be a tight and enthralling affair.
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Form
DIT picked up their second League title in November beating St. Marys College, Belfast in the final, and this rounded off a fine league campaign which also included wins over UCD, DCU, NUI Maynooth, Athlone IT and Queens. DCU meanwhile had a less impressive pre-Christmas campaign losing to both UCD and DIT, while beating NUI Maynooth to send them into Relegation Play-Offs. In the O’Byrne Cup both sides had similar campaigns, with neither progressing out of their groups. DCU beat Carlow, drew with Wicklow and lost to Dublin who progressed, while DIT beat Wexford and IT Carlow and lost to eventual winners Kildare. DCU have racked up some fine scores against UL (1-14), QUB (0-17) and UCD (2-10), a total score of fifty points, while only conceding twenty three points so far. DIT have only had two fixtures thus far and after scraping past NUI Galway in Dangan by two points on their first day out, had an emphatic nine point win over last years beaten finalists NUI Maynooth, suggesting that they have regained their Ryan Cup form heading into the weekend. DCU will be hoping to win their third Sigerson crown in four years, while should Dublin IT go all the way it would be a historic first for them.
Players To Watch
Michael Murphy, the Donegal senior, is the undoubted star of a strong DCU side, while former Kerry captain Darren O’Sullivan leads the DIT attack.
Betting Advice
While you won’t get rich backing DCU to progress to the final, this has to be the recommendation. Boylesports are bet priced 1/3 on the holders winning this tie.
