Westmeath players impress for Maynooth University as they advance to Sigerson quarter-finals

Sigerson Cup

Fifty years on from their sole outright Sigerson Cup success, Maynooth University, with two Westmeath players in the starting side, powered through to the last eight with a win over Dundalk IT on Tuesday last.

Wing-backs Dan Scahill and Ciarán Daly both impressed for Maynooth, who were 2-3 to 0-0 ahead early on, won by 2-14 to 0-13, with Shandonagh’s Scahill chipping in with a point.

Maynooth manager Aidan Minnock, a Ballycumber, Co Offaly clubman, was pleased with the performance of both Westmeath players.

“Dan loves to get forward, you know. I think he's playing centre -back for Westmeath, he has been a regular throughout the O’Byrne Cup. He's gone great for us."

Coralstown-Kinnegad defender Daly has slotted in well at number seven, Minnock said.

“Ciarán Daly has just gotten better and better with every game that we've played. I couldn't be happier with them. They're great footballers, good brains. Ciarán's a good kick -out option as well, he's a big man too for wing-back.”

Next up for Maynooth is a trip to Limerick to take on UL, provisionally fixed for next Wednesday.

“We played them in the quarter-final of the league and they beat us. They're good, they're well organised, they won the league afterwards. Brian McNamara from Clare is the captain and would make any county team so they're a good team, they have lads from all over, we know what we're up against.”

The return of Meath captain Eoghan Frayne from injury was a timely boost for Maynooth, who had beaten St Mary’s in the first round before losing a high-scoring clash to UCD.