Kerry contingent key as UCC capture Ryan Cup in dramatic circumstances

Five points from Kerry man Falvey, and crucial contributions for at least as many more scores, propelled the visitors to Division 1 league title success at DCU's St Clare's base.

Cormac Dillon, an All-Ireland U-20 finalist with Kerry this year, registered five points too while Cathal O Beaglaoich and Olan Corcoran struck six important points between them.

Late points from substitute Fionn Desmond and O Beaglaoich, who wore number 11 but lined out at midfield, ultimately separated the teams.

A resurgent DCU narrowed the gap to just a point when rising Dublin star Greg McEnaney fed Ethan Dunne for a 48th minute goal.

That narrow margin remained between them in stoppage time and DCU had a terrific opportunity to tie the game from a close range free.

But Donegal's Johnny McGroddy, who top scored for DCU with eight points, surprisingly went short to team-mate Fionn Carolan who booted wide.

Desmond and O Beaglaoich then struck their UCC scores to pile on the misery for DCU who lost substitute Liam Kelly to a red card late on in a game that stretched to 68 minutes.

Skipper Falvey dedicated the win afterwards to veteran manager Morgan whom he pointed out 'couldn't be with us tonight'.

If Morgan picked up the game on the YouTube live stream he'll have been happy with what he saw as UCC announced themselves as strong Sigerson Cup contenders.

The 2023 Sigerson winners didn't kick a single wide in the first-half and hit the interval with a 0-11 to 1-5 lead.

They linked up superbly with the wind at their backs and were 0-6 to 0-1 up by the ninth minute.

DCU grabbed a lifeline in the form of a well taken Finbarr McLoughlin goal three minutes before the break.

A long delivery and quick exchange of passes involving Ryan Donoghue, Alex Gavin and McGroddy eventually freed McLoughlin to palm home from close range.

Back-to-back McGroddy points after the restart got the margin down to just a point as DCU capitalised on the breeze.

But they will rue the eight second-half wides they totted up and the fact that they never managed to get back to level terms with UCC.

Still, the Dunne goal, after clubmate McEnaney cut through the centre and set him free, left it neck and neck at the three-quarter stage, 2-9 to 0-16.

Falvey was UCC's inspiration throughout, collecting possession and distributing it sensibly and pinching a number of impressive scores too.

Dillon swung a beauty over off his left foot also while Chris Kenneally set up Corcoran for another terrific score to keep UCC just about in control.

Falvey's 50th minute point was arguably the pick of the bunch, a high swinging kick on the wind from the right that left two in it at that stage.

DCU unloaded their bench and threw everything at it in the closing stages. They cut the deficit to just a point again following a score from sub Luke Marren in the 58th minute.

They should have levelled it up when McGroddy stood over that stoppage time free in but they butchered the opportunity.

Ratoath man Kelly got his marching orders for DCU deep into stoppage time when referee Conor Dourneen took advice from a linesman.

DCU still had one last chance to grab a goal and level the game with time almost up but McGroddy's rocket from a free flew just over the sea of UCC players on the goal line.

UCC scorers: K Falvey, C Dillon (1 mark) (0-5 each); C O Beaglaoich, O Corcoran, H O'Connor (3 frees) (0-3 each); A Crowley, F Desmond (0-1 each).

DCU scorers: J McGroddy (0-8, 7 frees); F McLoughlin, E Dunne (1-0 each); T Prior (0-2), R Donoghue, L Marren, F Carolan (0-1 each).

UCC (Cork unless stated): A Murphy (Kerry); D O'Callaghan (Kerry), D Peet, C Kenneally; T Ashe (Kerry), D Phelan, N Lordan; R Murphy (Kerry), C O Beaglaoich (Kerry); K Falvey (Kerry), O Corcoran, T O hAinifein (Kerry); C Dillon (Kerry), H O'Connor, A Crowley (Kerry).

Subs: F Desmond for O hAinifein (45); Liam Evans (Kerry) for Ashe (64).

DCU (Dublin unless stated): E McGuinness (Longford); B Masterson (Longford), A Gavin, R Gallagher (Donegal); E O'Connor Flanagan, G McEnaney, D Joyce (Mayo); C Heffernan (Laois), E Dunne; F McLoughlin (Mayo), R Donoghue (Cavan), C Dolan; J McGroddy (Donegal), S Baker (Westmeath), T Prior (Leitrim) Subs: F Carolan (Monaghan) for Joyce & L Glennon (Roscommon) for Baker (25); E Smith (Sligo) for Donoghue (38); L Kelly (Meath) for Heffernan (40); N Dolan (Kildare) for C Dolan (49); L Marren (Sligo) for McLoughlin (55).

Ref: C Dourneen (Cavan).