UCC bow out of Junior B Championship

UCC's unbeaten run for the year came to end following a four point defeat to the Bank of New York in the semi-final of the Junior B Football Championship last Monday. In a game in which UCC started brightly an inability to make full use of the chances created saw them end up on the wrong side of a 1-14 to 1-10 scoreline.

Playing against the wind UCC looked the livelier outfit and a goal created by Ronan Power and finished emphatically by corner forward Don O'Connell after eight minutes pushed UCC into the lead. As the half progressed the Bank of New York made better use of the elements and the chances created, and the teams were level at the short whistle, 1-05 to 0-08. The points for UCC came from Donal Cronin, Jack Crowley and impressive midfielder Ronan Power, whose high fielding was a feature of the game.

UCC had the wind behind them in the second half but failed to take full advantage, missing a large number of scoreable chances. Interspersed with some bad wides UCC did manage points from Don O'Connell, Donal Cronin and Ronan Power.

Some good build-up play (and an increased unwillingness to shoot) saw UCC awarded two penalties, however, neither resulted in a green flag. The first was blazed well wide and while the second did at least hit the target, it only resulted in a point following a good save from the BNY keeper. BNY were far more efficient with the possession they had and added on a number of points before a goal from a powerful shot by their replacement full forward past Diarmaid Hallissey saw them push into a six point lead.

UCC released Michael Burns from full back and he created a number of chances for the forwards but with a lack of true penetration up front the best that could be achieved was a couple of pointed frees. UCC won a number of close range frees in the dying minutes but goalbound efforts were easily diverted by the BNY defence. In the end UCC can have no complaints at the four point defeat.

Team: Diarmaid Hallissey, Kevin O'Mahony, Michael Burns, Robert Dunphy, Robert Phelan, Olan Casey, Jerry Reen, Ronan Power (0-02), Dave Stafford, Jack Crowley (0-01), Donal Cronin (0-06, 5f), Traolach Martin, Gareth Casey, Brendan Kelleher, Don O'Connell (1-01). Subs: Nathan Stevenson, Seamus Coffey.