Billy Morgan made another addition to his stunning CV on Wednesday night, leading UCC to a fourth Sigerson Cup title as manager. The ‘Skull and Crossbones’ were not considered to be among the pre-tournament favourites, and even fell in the first round to UL.
They managed to get back on track, although they had to do it the hard way, coming through two penalty shoot-outs, and needed extra-time to see off UL in the decider.
Morgan’s resume is unrivalled in the GAA, considering the breadth of success across club, inter-county and colleges.
The Nemo Rangers man is the only person in GAA to have won All-Ireland titles with club and county as both a player and manager. He is also one of five (along with Brian Dooher, Tony Hanahoe, Pรกidรญ ร Sรฉ and Kevin Heffernan) to have captained and managed their county to the Sam Maguire Cup.
That is even before you consider the glory he has tasted with UCC: two Sigerson Cup crowns as a player in 1965 and 1966, and four as a manager in 2011, 2014, 2019 and now 2023.
The grand-master of gaelic football on Lee-side has been widely hailed, in light of his latest triumph.
As the celebrations get underway on the Cork campus, UCC are now on their own in second place on the Sigerson Cup roll of honour with 24 victories. They are one clear of the University of Galway, and trail UCD (34).
