Canon O'Brien Cup: Brian Hayes gets the winner as UCC triumph

UCC 1-24

Cork 1-23

Brian Hayes scored the late winner as UCC took victory over Cork in the Canon O’Brien Cup at the Mardyke on Saturday.

Claiming the trophy for the third time in the tenth edition of the fixture, UCC’s win was built on scoring bursts of five and four points respectively in the second half.

The college side had trailed by seven points, 1-9 to 0-5, after 19 minutes of the first half but by half-time they were back within three, helped by a good Hayes goal. While Cork moved four in front again early in the second half, Hayes, Ben Cunningham, sub Fionn Coleman and Robbie Cotter all scored as the game was tied at 1-15 each. A long-range point from Luke Elliott had UCC in front for the first time.

Then, after Cork came back to move 1-18 to 1-17 ahead when Shane Kingston got his fourth point on 41 minutes, UCC produced another quartet of points through Cotter, Cunningham, William Buckley and Coleman again to move into a three-point lead.

Cork did wipe out in the closing stages but Hayes’s third point of the afternoon made it 1-24 to 1-23. When Cork won a late free, Declan Dalton might have tapped over – the game has never finished in a draw – but he opted to for goal and Bríon Saunderson in the UCC goal got the block in to ensure the win for Tom Kingston’s side.

The dual-benefit nature of the game for Cork was shown by the fact that UCC had more starters from the Rebels’ last championship match than Cork themselves did – Robert Downey and Ger Millerick among a number of Pat Ryan’s panel lining out in red and black while stand-in captain Conor Lehane was the only survivor from the loss to Limerick last May.

Cork began the brighter, perhaps indicative of an earlier 2024 start – they face Limerick on Mallow on Sunday, January 7 with UCC in Fitzgibbon Cup action away to Mary Immaculate College on January 24.

Eoin Carey, Lehane, Darragh Flynn and Jack O’Connor were among those on target as they led by 0-8 to 0-3 after 13 minutes. While Cunningham responded for UCC, Cork struck for a goal as Daniel Harrington and Carey combined, the latter sending a low ball to Seán Twomey, who did well to create space before side-stepping Saunderson and batting the ball to the net.

While UCC’s Peter McGarry might have replied with a goal for them, Cork goalkeeper Ger Collins was quick off his line. The hosts did respond well though as Darragh Stakelum and the excellent William Buckley had points before Cotter set Hayes up for a good individual goal. The St Finbarr’s man might have had another moments later but Collins saved well.

Points from Kingston, O’Connor and Sam Quirke ensured Cork retired with the advantage but UCC’s good opening to the second half ensured that they stayed in the game.

Conor O’Callaghan levelled at 1-16 each and then Tommy O’Connell set up Kingston to put Cork back in front, but UCC had the momentum.

When Carey tied at 1-22 each for Cork, Cunningham’s fifth put the college in front again and, though Dalton levelled, Hayes scored what proved to be the winner.

Scorers for UCC: B Hayes 1-3, B Cunningham (0-2f), W Buckley 0-5 each, R Cotter 0-3, C O’Brien, L Elliott, F Coleman 0-2 each, D Stakelum, D Hogan 0-1 each.

Cork: S Kingston 0-7 (0-1f, 0-1 65), S Twomey 1-0, C Lehane 0-3, S Quirke, E Carey, C Beausang, D Flynn, 0-2 each, C O’Callaghan, J O’Connor, S Walsh, D Dalton, S Desmond 0-1 each.

UCC: (Cork unless stated): B Saunderson (Midleton); G Millerick (Fr O’Neill's), S Kingston (Ballinora), M Carey (Nenagh Éire Óg, Tipperary); L Elliott (Sarsfields), R Downey (Glen Rovers), C O’Brien (Newtownshandrum); S Daly (Randal Óg), W Buckley (St Finbarr’s); B Cunningham (St Finbarr’s), P McGarry (St Mary's Clonmel, Tipperary), B Hayes (St Finbarr’s), R Cotter (Blackrock), D Hogan (Sarsfields), D Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary). Subs: F Coleman (Blackrock) for McGarry (34, injured), S Barrett (Blarney) for Stakelum (40), C McGoldrick (Éire Óg) for Elliott (47), E O’Leary (Glen Rovers) for Hogan (51), S Moore (Carrickshock, Kilkenny) for Carey (51, injured), Colm McCarthy (Sarsfields) for Downey (52, injured).

CORK: G Collins (Ballinhassig); Cathal McCarthy (Sarsfields), D O’Leary (Watergrasshill), D O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig); C O'Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), T O'Connell (Midleton), D Harrington (Fr O'Neills); S Quirke (Midleton), E Carey (Kilworth); S Kingston (Douglas), C Lehane (Midleton, Capt)), D Flynn (Ballygiblin); J O'Connor (Sarsfields), S Twomey (Courcey Rovers), C Beausang (Midleton). Subs: D Dalton (Fr O’Neill’s) for Flynn, S Desmond (Watergrasshill) for Twomey (both half-time), T O’Connell (Ballincollig) for Quirke (44), S Walsh (Carrigtwohill) for Beausang (44).

Referee: C Lyons (Nemo Rangers).