Sigerson woe for Belfast teams

Tyrone's Stephen O'Neill couldn't save St Mary's

Belfast sides St Mary's University College and Queen's have both crashed out of the Heineken Sigerson Cup at the first hurdle.

NUI Maynooth defeated the fancied St Mary's side 2-8 to 0-12 at the Dub.

Queen's, meanwhile, suffered an away hammering against Athlone with the midlanders winning 2-15 to 0-7.

The St Mary's side included Tyrone stars Stephen O'Neill, Ciaran Gourley and Mark Harte.

They were strongly fancied for a good Sigerson run this season after qualifying for the Ryan Cup decider last year.

O'Donnell stars

All but one of last year's squad were available for this year's campaign.

However, two goals in a five-minute period from new Dublin star Alan Brogan and Declan Lally helped Maynooth to a 2-4 to 0-6 half-time lead.

St Mary's had the better of the play in the third quarter and managed to draw level at 2-5 to 0-11 thanks to some excellent free-taking from Adrian O'Donnell.

However, Maynooth finished the stronger to win by two points.

O'Donnell finished on the losing side despite his seven points - all from frees.

St Mary's managed only three points from play.