In the third round of the Sigerson Cup, goals were plenty as UCD secured their place in the quarter-finals with a thrilling 7-8 to 3-10 win over Ulster University.
While in the other encounter, UCC were pushed to a penalty shoot-out win after an incredible comeback from Queen's University.
In a winner takes all game in the Sigerson Cup, it was the Dublin college who got off to the perfect start as Daire Cregg scored his first goal after two minutes,
Ulster University replied immediately and had a three point lead after 10 minutes, with Conor Cush continuing his excellent tournament after eight minutes.
UCD found their rhythm from this moment, and scored an incredible 3-3 in the next 15 minutes. Cregg had his second goal after 13 minutes with a clever finish with further goals from Paul Tolan and the first of three from David Garland.
This gave the Dublin college a 4-3 to 1-3 lead after 26 minutes, as Ulster University were punished for defensive mistakes. They were still in the game, as Ryan Jones got their second of the game just before the interval.
The second half started the same as the first, with a UCD goal from Garland getting the action back underway.
Garland completed his hattrick just two minutes later in the 33rd minute, as he ended the day with 3-1. The Monaghan forward is definitely a player to watch in the National League this weekend.
Ulster University were unable to provide answers in the second half, as UCD looked unstoppable. They had their seventh goal through Pearse Ruttledge, as they showed no signs of slowing down.
Despite some nice scores from Ulster University, UCD's ruthless nature in front of goal was the difference. Cush scored a late conselation, but it was the end of the Sigerson Cup for UU.
In tonight's other game, goals were also plenty as UCC took on Queens in Abbottstown.
The Cork college took an early lead in a tight first half, with six different scorers as they took a 0-6 to 0-4 lead at the interval.
In the second half, UCC looked like they were going to pull away, as they scored six scores without reply, including four from Mark Cronin, as they opened up an eight point lead after 42 minutes.
Looking down and out, Luke Donnelly's first goal of the game gave them a lifeline in the 44th minute, before his second goal from the penalty spot brought Queen's with two points of UCC.
Points from Cathal O'Mahony looked to have given UCC some breathing room, before Donnelly's third goal brought them back within two scores.
Two late points from Ryan Donnelly secured a dramatic comeback from Queens brought the game to extra-time.
In the first-half of extra time, O'Mahony and Rian Quigley gave UCC a 0-18 to 3-8 lead at the interval. Queens weren't going down without a fight, and just like key moments throughout the game, Luke Donnelly scored a last second point to bring it to penalties.
In a shoot-out full of quality penalties, it was UCC were prevailed 7-6 to progress to the quarter-finals.
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