NUI Galway 0-12 UL 1-06
Roscommon's Cathal Heneghan proved to be the super-sub with three crucial points to help propel NUI Galway to Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup glory at IT Carlow campus on Wednesday night.
Level at half-time in a low-scoring game played in wet and wild conditions, Maurice Sheridan's side reeled off six points in a row in the third quarter to put themselves in a winning position, with Heneghan scoring three of them.
The Glaveys clubman and Roscommon senior only came on at the interval but ended up walking away with the man of the match award as NUI Galway clinched their 23rd title, moving them joint level in the overall roll of honour with UCC.
Gavin Burke, Paul Kelly and Mayo attacker Fionn McDonagh all capped strong performances with important scores too.
The win, NUI Galway's first since 2003, keeps the university on course for a potential third level double with their Fitzgibbon Cup side already through to Saturday's decider.
UL talisman David Clifford did his best to prevent the defeat with 1-02 overall, bringing his tournament takings to 6-22, and his 45th-minute penalty conversion inspired a comeback that took the Munster side to within a point.
But that was as good as it got for them with late NUI Galway points from Burke, McDonagh and Galway star Tomo Culhane sealing a memorable win.
NUI Galway, slight underdogs, played with the wind initially and wondered if they'd kick themselves for not making more of that initial advantage.
Opponents UL were boosted by the availability of Eoghan McLaughlin who was a late addition to the half-back line having initially been ruled out with ankle trouble.
UL were still without Kerry's Stefan Okunbor though NUI Galway had their own injury issues with Mayo star Tommy Conroy and Galway's Sean Mulkerrin both absent due to knee problems.
NUI Galway did surge three points clear early on thanks to scores from McDonagh, Kelly and Burke but didn't score again until early in the second as UL reeled them in to leave it 0-03 apiece at half-time.
Amid driving raing and high winds, two Clifford points from frees helped haul UL back after that slow start.
Heneghan's introduction was vital though and he reeled off the first two points of the second-half before Matthew Tierney clipped over a free.
Heneghan then drew gasps from the 1,300 crowd with a clever dummy solo before splitting the posts for the third time.
NUI Galway struck six unanswered points in total and while UL battled back bravely with Clifford converting the penalty and McLaughlin among the point scorers, their bid for a first ever title ultimatley came to nought.
NUIG: Conor Carroll; Eoghan Kelly, Neil Mulcahy, Colin Murray; Rory Egan, Sean Kelly, Gavin Durcan; Paul Kelly (0-01), Matthew Tierney (0-01, 0-01f); Fionn McDonagh (0-02), Nathan Mullen, Cathal Donoghue; Gavin Burke (0-02), Cathal Sweeney, Tomo Culhane (0-03, 0-02f).
Subs: Cathal Heneghan (0-03) for Donoghue (h/t), Tony Gill for Durcan (42), Ryan Monaghan for Mullen (64).
UL: Conor Flaherty; Ciaran Donnelly, Jack Coyne, Paul Maher; Gearoid O'Donovan, Sean Powter, Eoghan McLaughlin (0-01); Connell Dempsey, Daniel Walsh; Ciaran Downes, Emmet McMahon, Dan Gray; Paul Towey (0-01), David Clifford (1-02, 1-00pen, 0-02f), Donal O'Sullivan (0-01).
Subs: Jack Glynn for Powter (h/t), Paul Walsh (0-01) for Dempsey (42), Oisin Looney for Downes (55), James McCarthy for Gray (58).
Referee: David Gough (Meath).
