UUJ

MAY 2011 Saintfield's David Robinson and Sean Walsh of UUJ fight it out for possession Institute's Graeme Taylor soars highest to win header against UUJ's Dan McAlea

And Youle believes the striker is benefitting from a slight tweak to his position, and from having Ryan Kelly, who switched from UUJ earlier in the season, up front alongside him.

Down looked more potent going forward throughout the opening half, but two superb saves from UUJ keeper Michael McAllister, who denied Kevin McKernan and John McAreavy, kept the students in touch.

Youle (circled) led the students to the 1B title last season, but walked away in the aftermath of their relegation, citing a lack of backing from the university itself and the fact there appears to be no immediate prospect of UUJ reclaiming their Intermediate status.

The loss surely brought the pain of last September's All-Ireland final flooding back to UUJ boss Mickey Moran.

A ballsy 3-2 win at Rosario last month looks decisive in the final analysis, but Youle quite rightly points out it would have counted for little had they slipped up elsewhere, with the UUJ chief equally satisfied by victories they racked up at the likes of Ballywalter and Dromara.

SIGERSON CUP FIXTURES (Wednesday, 2.0): St Mary's v Queens, Belfast' Sligo IT v UUJ, Sligo' Athlone IT v UCC, Athlone' Garda College v DCU, Templemore.

Nevertheless, with all the top teams still to play each other, and with UUJ still to host Ballywalter in a return visit in a few weeks' time, Youle (inset) knows the win merely provides a foundation to build on.

Rosario got a big three points there on Saturday but they have to go to St Luke's on Tuesday night and they have to go to UUJ on Thursday night so there will be a lot of twists and turns let me tell you before the season finishes.

Tyrone's Lee Brennan top scored with 0-6 for UUJ while Crossmaglen star Oisin O'Neill hit 1-4 to keep his side in the game.

We have a tough start with UUJ and Rosario all coming early in the season so we're hoping to get off to a good start."

Derry face UUJ in the McKenna Cup today and ambitious Oak Leaf star Bradley has opted to play for his county instead of the Jordanstown college he attends.