Laois GAA goalkeeper Killian Roche stars as UCD reach Sigerson Cup final after penalty shootout
They defeated TU Dublin
Killeshin's Killian Roche played a starring role for UCD in their Sigerson Cup semi-final victory over TU Dublin in Abbotstown on Wednesday evening, delivering a standout performance both in normal time and during the nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Roche not only kept a clean sheet but also contributed two vital scores, one from play and another from a 45’. His heroics between the posts proved crucial as UCD edged past TU Dublin in dramatic fashion.
The penalty shootout saw TU Dublin convert their first two spot-kicks, while UCD scored their first and missed their second. With the pressure mounting, Roche produced his first moment of brilliance, diving to deny Sean Jones and keeping UCD in the contest. However, his opposite number, Naas’ Jack Rodgers, immediately responded by saving Ben O’Carroll’s penalty.
UCD found themselves on the brink of elimination when TU Dublin’s Jordan Morris coolly slotted home to make it 3-1. Barry McNulty, who Roche will face again on Saturday when Laois travel to Ballinamore to take on Leitrim, kept UCD alive before Roche pulled off another superb save, this time denying Darragh Lovett.
Then came the moment of the match. Roche, the man of the hour, stepped up to take UCD’s final penalty and confidently sent Rodgers the wrong way, levelling the shootout at 3-3. The drama continued as Roche produced another outstanding save, diving low to his right to stop Jack Lundy’s well-placed effort. He then had a chance to seal victory with his second penalty of the shootout but saw his effort saved by Rodgers.
Morris had a second opportunity to keep TU Dublin in it, but he dragged his shot wide, handing UCD the chance to win it. This time, Ben O’Carroll made no mistake, converting the decisive penalty to send UCD into the Sigerson Cup final, where they will face either DCU or Ulster University on Wednesday, February 12.
Roche won’t have long to dwell on his heroics, as he will be back in action on Saturday when Laois travel to Ballinamore for their refixed Division 3 clash with Leitrim, after Storm Éowyn forced the postponement of the original fixture on January 25.