UCC continue to impress as they beat UCD to go top of their Fitzgibbon Cup group

UCC 2-21

UCD 1-13

UCC proved superior in the Mardyke yesterday as they secured a place in the quarter-final of the Fitzgibbon Cup. 

Following victory over champions UL on Sunday, this latest win sees them top Group A, with the likes of Shane Kingston and Mark Coleman on song, along with Tipp's Mark Kehoe.

They got a firm grip on proceedings in the second half, the visitors unable to stay with them as the game wore on. Should UCC overcome NUIG next Wednesday they will have a home venue in the last eight.

Despite having to line out without the injured Darragh Fitzgibbon and Robbie O’Flynn — and late withdrawal Jack Barry — they led 0-11 to 0-6 at the break. Kingston and Chris O’Leary among those on target. However, UCC upped the ante following the resumption and a brilliant solo goal from Kehoe set them on their way.

Goalkeepers Shane Hurley and Brian Hogan were not found wanting either. Hogan hauling his side back into contention with 1-1 from frees. UCC pulled away again, Neil Montgomery’s late goal sealing the result.

A concern however was a late injury to impressive centre-back Eoghan Murphy.

Scorers for UCC: M Kehoe (1-4), S Kingston (0-5), S Conway (0-4, 0-3 frees), N Montgomery (1-0), M Coleman (0-3), C O’Leary (0-1 65m) and C Browne (0-2 each), D Griffin (0-1).

UCD: R Hayes (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65m), B Hogan (1-1 frees), D Fitzgerald (0-2), M Purcell, S Flanagan, R Purcell and S Carey (0-1 each).

UCC: S Hurley (St Finbarr’s); D Lynch (Passage East, Waterford), E Gunning (Na Piarsaigh), N O’Leary (Castlelyons); C O’Leary (Valley Rovers), E Murphy (Sarsfields), D Griffin (Carrigaline); C Browne (James Stephen’s, Kilkenny), M Coleman (Blarney); R Donoghue (Buffers Alley, Wexford), S Kingston (Douglas), P O’Loughlin (Kilmallock, Limerick); M O’Halloran (Blackrock), M Kehoe (Kilsheelan Kilcash, Tipperary), S Conway (Lixnaw, Kerry).

Subs: N Montgomery (Abbeyside, Waterford) for M O’Halloran (40), D Lowney (Clonakilty) for D Lynch (40), K Dwyer (Killenaule, Tipperary) for N O’Leary (bs 48-51), K Dwyer (Killenaule, Tipperary) for D Lowney (bs 52-54), P Cadell (JK Brackens, Tipperary) for S Conway (56), C Roche (Shamrocks, Waterford) for M Kehoe (57), A Casey (Ballyduff Upper, Waterford) for S Kingston (58).

UCD: B Hogan (Lorrha, Tipperary); I O’Shea (Athenry, Galway), H Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels, Kilkenny), M Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary); M Cody (Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny), R Lennon (Bennettsbridge, Kilkenny), D Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona, Clare); C MacGabhann (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin), J Malone (Cuala, Dublin); E Callaghan (Kinnity, Offaly), P Guinan (Drumcullen, Offaly), R Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin); S Carey (Young Irelands, Kilkenny), S Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon, Limerick), P Crummey (Lucan, Dublin).

Subs: C McGuckian (Naomh Eanna, Wexford) for E Callaghan (half-time), G Molloy (Naomh Eanna, Wexford) for I O’Shea (36), S Quirke (Moyle Rovers, Tipperary) for P Crummey (46), R Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary) for J Malone (55).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).