UCC's class was simply too much for their college rivals CIT

UCC 0-23 CIT 0-12

THIS Senior Hurling Championship clash saw UCC emphatic victors against CIT at Páirc Uí Rinn.

The College simply had too much class in their ranks, including Mark Coleman in midfield, Chris O’Leary captaining from wing-back, and Kerry dynamo Shane Conway as the fulcrum of the attack.

These have been an exciting and memorable few months for the hurling contingent down by the Mardyke. And UCC gave the impression they are fully intent on making a mark at club level again this season, having reached the last four in 2018.

After both sides exchanged early points, UCC had a strong spell midway through the opening half that in the end would prove decisive.

Kerry’s Shane Conway was impressive on the night for UCC, with the Lixnaw club man finding his scoring radar was very much spot on.

It was UCC that ended the opening half the stronger and got six scores without reply in the minutes before the referee blew his half time whistle.

CIT, largely through the influence of Ger Collins, did their best to keep in touch with their fellow Cork college. Ballinhassig’s Collins is the Cork U20 keeper this season but lined out at corner-forward here and showed his hurling talent by firing over seven points, 0-4 from play.

However, for all that CIT were largely playing catch up for most of the hour of play.

Once the action got back underway in the second, Conway continued to slot over some fine scores for UCC. Tom Millerick and Michael Devine also split the posts. In the end, UCC ran out comfortable victors and will look forward to a clash with Muskerry in the next round next Tuesday night.

The game formed the first part of a double-header, with the Kieran O’Connor fundraising hurling game between Cork and Kilkenny following after.

Scorers for UCC: S Conway (0-4f) 0-9, C Browne, C O’Leary, M Devine, T Millerick 0-2 each, P Cadell, D Griffin, M Coleman, B Kelleher, C O’Leary (f), S Hayes 0-1 each.

CIT: G Collins (0-3 f) 0-7, B Everard, E Heffernan, J Cooper, J Good, K Duggan 0-1 each.

UCC: J Barry; E Clifford, D Lowney, K O’Dwyer; C O’Leary, N O’Leary, D Griffin; C Browne, M Coleman; B Kelleher, P Cadell, D Walsh; S Conway, S Hayes, M Devine.

Subs: J Casey for Walsh, T Millerick for S Conway (both 47), D Desmond for Barry (53), C Power for Coleman (56).

CIT: I Butler; K Galvin, D Fanning, M Millerick; E Heffernan, W Hurley, J Elsted; J Good, J Beecher; B Everard. J Cooper, A Coffey; E O’Shea, N Fives, G Collins.

Subs: K Duggan for Beecher, B Hyland for Fives (both h-t), E Barry for O’Shea (41), J Kennefick for Elsted (43), L Duggan for Everard (54).

Referee: S Stokes (Tullylease)