We are the Champions
CIT made history on the 28th February 2009 as they won the Sigerson Cup for the first time. Although 16-1 outsiders from the outset Keith Ricken's men strolled to the final and even then were outsiders to overcome DIT. CIT made it into the semi-finals Cup after edging out DCU by 1-15 to 0-14, after extra time, following a thrilling tie.
Two days later CIT faced a skilful NUIG. Daniel Goulding pointed the way with six points as a powerful burst after half-time propelled CIT into the final for the first time. Yet the host side were left hanging on at the finish as five points on the trot from NUIG brought them within touching distance. CIT were relieved to hear the full-time whistle, yet their overall performance merited their progression into the decider.
The final was a special day for the club’s long-serving officer, Keith Ricken.
“It’s being a long-time coming for our club, which is 30 years old. We weren’t allowed compete for a while, but it’s a very emotional day for us all.
“I told the players before the game they were the best group ever to wear the red and white jersey and I knew we were going to win, even after the slow start. I was always confident,” he said.
In excellent conditions at the CIT Sports grounds, the hosts got off to a very poor start as DIT began in determined fashion. Despite conceding 1-3 inside the opening five minutes, Kevin McManamon scored a goal from Martin Reilly’s precise pass, CIT settled to dominate the rest of the wind-assisted half.
Cork star Daniel Goulding gave a master class from placed balls, scoring eight in all, to help his side lead 0-10 to 1-4. Though Colm O’Neill and Paul Kerrigan missed clear-cut goal scoring chances, both players can be well and truly forgiven by their work rate from start to finish.
DIT began the second half in determined fashion with a brace of scores each from half-time substitute Niall Coughlan and defender Darragh Walsh. However, a 37th-minute Shane McCarthy goal put CIT back in front and they held a comfortable five-point lead with 13 minutes remaining.
A superb Shane McCarthy goal after 36 minutes eased nerves as CIT added 0-3 without replay. DIT kept plugging away and they punished CIT hard in the closing minutes, with McManamon adding his second point before CIT goalkeeper Liam Sheehan was forced to pull off a fine save from Niall Coughlan. Such a save must have been even inspirational to DIT as they relentlessly played balls into their half forward line.
However such balls were ineffective against CIT’s half back line that were indispensible throughout the whole tournament, noting Kerry man Aidan O’ Sullivan as man of the match. His tireless performance was key to holding DIT at bay. Fittingly, Goulding wrapped up the win with the final score of the game, his ninth, to give the Cork college their first ever win in the national competition.
Gearóid Buckley
