Maynooth began their title defence with a spirited 3-2 comeback victory against DCU as the 105th Collingwood Cup got underway at the University of Limerick.
The Kildare men took an early lead through Conal Cronin but the 2020 champions DCU responded through James Ralph to see the sides level at the short whistle.
The Dubliners carried that momentum into the second half moving in front via a goal from Ryan Boyle. However, the defending champions showed their pedigree with Alex Sheerin grabbing a brace to secure the spot in the semi-finals.
The other early kick off saw UCC overcome University of Galway 2-0. The sides were level at the interval but goals from Ronan O’Shea and Eanna Fitzgerald in the second half booked the Leesider’s place in the final four.
Limerick holds happy memories for UCC, their last Collingwood triumph came in 2019 with a thrilling extra time win over UL at Markets Field.
The afternoon kick offs saw hosts UL take on UCD in a classic Collingwood encounter. A late call from the match officials saw the game moved from grass to astroturf resulting in a delayed kick-off.
When proceedings did get underway UL had the benefit of a strong breeze and made the most of it as they employed a direct style of football.
A twelfth minute corner was scrambled clear by the Students but fell to Limerick midfielder Isaac O’Sullivan who controlled the ball on the edge of the area before unleashing an effort towards goal. A somewhat fortuitous deflection off the boot of a UCD defender helped it on its way to the back of the net.
UCD owned the ball for the remainder of the half but some resolute defending from the home side saw their attempts reduced to speculative efforts.
As the most successful team in the history of the competition UCD would not go down without a fight and started the second half with real impetus. Their patient buildup play was rewarded in the fifty sixth minute when Mickey McCullagh was on hand to finish off a well worked team move.
UCD will feel they should have made the most of the slew of chances they created after this but once again they were rebuffed by the home defence. With the sides level at the end of normal time penalty kicks would decide who would progress.
Despite missing their opening penalty UL were handed a lifeline when UCD saw their third penalty rattle the woodwork and another miss offered Daniel O’Dwyer the chance to secure UL’s place in the semi-finals and the Tipperary forward duly obliged.
This is the second year in a row that UCD have suffered defeat in the quarter-finals via penalties. UL will hope it is a good omen as Maynooth overcame UCD last year on their way to the title.
Queens University Belfast await UL in the semi-finals after they overcame Trinity College in a five goal thriller. Nick Currano had given Trinity an early lead but the Ulstermen fought back and raced into a commanding lead with goals from Charlie Kaldor, Cole McElnea and James Hood.
Trinity pulled one back in the second half via Abdul Azeez Alaba but they could’t find an equaliser to force a penalty shootout as their long wait for a Collingwood title continues.
The finalist for the 2026 Collingwood Cup will be decided tomorrow afternoon when Maynooth take on UCC while Queens face UL both games will kick off at 2:15pm. The Farquhar Cup semi-finals are scheduled for 12pm with DCU taking on Galway while Trinity will face UCD.
