Incredible UCC fightback sends them through to Fresher 1 hurling semis
Barry O'Flynn, seen here in action for Sarsfields, starred as UCC came from 12 points down to reach the Fresher 1 HC semi-finals. File picture: Jim Coughlan
Barry O’Flynn’s late points earned UCC a place in the semi-finals of the Electric Ireland Higher Education Fresher 1 HC, capping a remarkable comeback at the Mardyke on Wednesday evening.
In the first minute of the second half, a free from DCU Dóchas Éireann’s Eoghan Murphy – the Laois star’s sixth point – put the visitors ahead by 3-9 to 0-6, good value for what seemed a cruise to the last four.
However, after a point from centre-back Rory Higgins, UCC conjured a goal from the excellent Conor McCarthy following good work by Ruairc Sweeney and Ronan Dooley. While DCU replied to that with three points, the home side had begun to find some momentum and for the rest of the half they ate into the deficit.
Jerry Wallace’s side had a second goal when Dooley set up sub Liam O’Riordan – the Offalyman unable to start but impactful after his half-time arrival along with Adam Ryan and Patrick O’Callaghan at the break – and they sensed an unlikely comeback gain more traction.
With Kilkenny pair Sweeney and Ed Lahouff to the fore in the half-forward line, they inched closer and got a huge boost on 47 when O’Riordan’s catch led to a goal for O’Flynn, who had five points scored by that stage.
Though Murphy and then Joe Sheppard pointed to put DCU 3-17 to 3-14 ahead by three minutes left, UCC were level when Sweeney did brilliantly to claim a break and then drive towards goal before netting.
They looked have completed the turnaround through O’Flynn and Lahouff only for the game to take another turn when DCU sub Thomas Langton diverted a delivery home. However, UCC secured extra time when McCarthy set up Higgins for a long-range leveller – 4-17 each at the end of 60 minutes.
In the additional period, there was again little to separate the teams – while O’Flynn helped UCC to build a lead, DCU came back well and Murphy’s eighth and a Langton point made it 4-22 each and thoughts turned to penalties.
It was to be UCC’s night, though, as an O’Flynn turnover allowed him to point and he ensured victory - and a tally of 1-11 - with a late free following good work by O’Callaghan.
Such an outcome looked remote in a first half where UCC were outclassed. Murphy’s pass was the catalyst for a fine Steven Kinsella goal to put DCU 1-4 to 0-2 in front on nine minutes and they were on top for the rest of the half.
It was 1-8 to 0-6 when Murphy’s quick free allowed Justin Duggan to net on 25 and things got even better when Sam Hayes set up Kinsella to give them an 11-point half-time lead.
That advantage would grow further on the resumption but UCC still found a way back.
B O’Flynn 1-11 (0-7 f), R Sweeney 1-4, C McCarthy 1-3, L O’Riordan 1-0, E Lahouff 0-3, R Higgins 0-2, J Huggins 0-1.
E Murphy 0-8 (0-6 f), S Kinsella 2-1, T Langton 1-2, J Duggan 1-1, W Wheatley, P Keavey, R Murphy 0-2 each, J Sheppard, H Curley, J Nolan, S Hayes 0-1 each.
Oisín O’Connell (Douglas); F Walsh (Fenor, Waterford), K Beechinor (Éire Óg), C Delaney (Ballyraggett, Kilkenny); D Gleeson (Adare, Limerick), Rory Higgins (Sarsfields), B McGrath (Fermoy); J Huggins (Sarsfields), R Dooley (Douglas); L O’Connor (St Brendan’s, Kerry), E Lahouff (James Stephens, Kilkenny), R Sweeney (O’Loughlin Gaels, Kilkenny); C McCarthy (St Finbarr’s), L Murphy (Barryroe), B O’Flynn (Sarsfields).
A Ryan (Arravale Rovers, Tipperary) for Gleeson, P O’Callaghan (Clonad, Laois) for O’Connor, L O’Riordan (Ballyskenagh/Killavilla, Offaly) for Murphy (all half-time), S Brennan (Mooncoin, Kilkenny) for Dooley (54, injured), J Fitzpatrick (St Lachtain’s) for Brennan (80).
C Doolan; T Kirwan, W Wheatley, N Furlong; H Curley, C Roarke, J Sheppard; V Higgins, J Nolan; S Hayes, E Murphy, P Keavey; S Kinsella, J Duggan, R Murphy.
T Langton for Duggan (41), S O’Donnell for Higgins (47).
C McAllister (Aghada).
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