NUIG hoping to end nine year wait for Harding Cup success

It is almost a decade since NUI Galway last tasted success in the Harding Cup and on Thursday next Derek Rogers charges chase the Holy Grail of First Year’s soccer when they head to Coleraine for this year’s event.

The biggest problem for the Tribesmen in recent years is their difficulty in getting past the opening round. The luck of the draw had seen them drawn against the eventual winners on a number of occasions and while they have succeeded in winning the Plate competition in two of the last three seasons, they haven’t won the Harding Cup since 2004.

As ever with Colleges football, the biggest problem is getting the players playing together. Rogers has assembled a strong squad with a large proportion playing at Airtricity U-19 level with Mervue United, Salthill Devon and GUST.

Colm Horgan and Enda Curran have performed at League of Ireland level for Devon and much will be expected from them. Left sided Roy King is a member of the Athlone Town side that has just won the Southern Division of the U-19 League.

Dan Duggan, Sean O’Boyle, Stephen Dooney, Ryan Ludden and Gay Darcy have also been performing at a similar level, with Rory Gartland and Willie Enubele having previously been regular performers at Junior level. Last season they moved on to play First Division football with Salthill Devon.

NUI Galway will face DCU in their first outing on Thursday, with UCD the potential opponents if they make it through their opening contest.NUI Galway Squad: Ciaran MacMahuna, Cillian Murphy, Colm Horgan, Roy King, Shane Gallagher, Tommy Fitzgerald, Dan Duggan, Stephen Dooney, Mattie Molloy, Tiwo Eneckrtup, Enda Curran, Shane O’Rourke, Sean O’Boyle, Ryan Ludden, Gabriel Darcy, Willie Embuela, Chris Gaul, Rory Gartland, Mathew Danagher.

FIRST DIVISIONJust two games survived the weekend as second placed Crumlin were held to a scoreless draw by Knocknacarra at Cappagh Park, while promotion-chasing Maree/Oranmore slipped up when going down 1-0 away to St Patrick’s.

Ronan Connelly got the first half winner for the home side, while Kevin Heenaghan and JJ Greaney were denied further reward when the woodwork intervened.

SECOND DIVISIONSecond Division leaders Mervue United B appeared to be heading for all the points on offer when they led Colga 1-0 as the game entered the closing stages, but a late Cian O’Baoill header levelled matters and ensured a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

An Alan Tormey penalty had given the home side an interval advantage, after Dave O’Boyle was fouled in the box. John Moran later missed a good opportunity to stretch that advantage, when heading wide.

Bohemians produced a great finale as they came from two down at the break to level matters at 2-2 with Cois Farraige. Goals by Ronan O’Fatharta and Ciaran Joyce had the Connemara side two up, before Stuart Donoghue struck for a late brace to level matters.

There was no joy for Renmore at home to Loughrea, as goals by Gavin Shaughnessy and Colm McGee gave the visitors a 2-0 away success.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.