On a scoreline of 1-16 to 2-11 UCC overcame North Cork Garda to qualify for the final of the Murphy Football Cup.
1 Adrian Greaney 2 Kevin O Mahony 3 Rory Rice 4 Diarmuid Herlihy 5 Robert Phelan 6 Dave Stafford 7 Dave Prendergast 8 Colm O Connell 9 Donal Og O Donovan 10 Aidan Kelliher 11 Michael Byrne 12 Donal Cronin 13 Pat Cremin 14 Jerry Reen 15 Don O'Connell Subs Garret Casey, Mike Fitzgerald, Donagh O Mahony, Brendan Hallissey, Seamus Coffey.
Garda to the Fore in Junior Hurling Replay
Cork Garda ran out convincing winners, 4-13 to 2-07, in the replayed final of the Junior A Hurling Championship. Apart from a brief spell after half time UCC were never really in this game and failed to match their scoring exploits in their previous two games when they hit 4-15 and 2-18 respectively.
Garda started as they meant to continue and hit the opening point of the game. Further points from play were added with UCC's response limited to two long range frees from Eanna Martin. A high speculative ball into the UCC goal found it's way to the net via the Garda full-forward and although clearly in the square the goal was allowed to stand using a new interpretation of the "not interfering with play" clause in the rule book.
Garda continued to press ahead and it was clear that after missing plenty of scores in the drawn game they were not going to make the same mistake in the replay. The UCC defense, in which Denis Twomey and Timmy Geaney once again excelled, was under constant pressure as UCC failed to make any inroads upfront. UCC clearances were quickly returned with interest by Garda. The pressure eventually told and the concession of a needless foul led to a Garda penalty. This was not the best struck shot in the world but it still found its way to the corner of the net. A couple of more excellent points and Garda had built up a deserved 2-06 to 0-02 lead.
UCC finally found some traction up front in the closing minutes of the first half. This time a high speculative ball was played into the Garda goal and although clearly in the square Pat Cremin bundled the ball over the line and as at the other end the goal stood. Garda responded with a super goal following a brilliant low shot from 15 yards to the corner of the net. A great long range point from play from Gerard McGlacken concluded the scoring for the first half and UCC trailed by nine points at the break, 3-06 to 1-03.
UCC started the second half in a much more positive manner. The move of Rory Rice to midfield and the introduction of Fergal Moloney at full back added some much needed resolve. A pointed free from Eanna Martin and a fine point from play from a tight angle by Mattie Collins reduced the lead to seven points after the opening minutes.
A long puck-out from Seamus Cronin fell kindly to Ronan Spillane who took off on a solo run from 45 yards out. He beat his own man for pace, before flicking the ball over the head of the onrushing corner back and collecting the ball at the far side. He continued goalwards and a brilliant dummy past the full back left him with only the keeper to beat. A lovely flick under the body of the keeper finished the ball to the net for a great goal. The lead was now down to five and UCC were back in the game with 15 minutes to go with the score 3-06 to 2-04.
However, this was short lived as Garda quickly upped the ante and hit a succession of fine points to restore, and subsequently extend, their nine point advantage. Garda were well on top at this stage and pinged the ball across the field to unmarked colleagues to create a number of openings. The game was fully killed off with five minutes to go when Garda scored their fourth goal.
UCC did manage scores from an Eanna Martin free and towards the end Seamus Coffey added to a ball that was played into the square which flew over the bar from his hurley. At the final whistle Cork Garda ran out deserving 12 point winners, 4-13 to 2-07, and it is they who progress to the Munster Championship.
UCC Team: 1. Seamus Cronin 2. Denis Twomey 3. Rory Rice 4. Robert Dunphy 5. John Eakins 6. Timmy Geaney 7. Dave Stafford 8. Anthony Walsh 9. Eanna Martin (0-04, 4f) 10. Pat Cremin (1-00) 11. Ger McGlacken (0-01) 12. Ronan Spillane (1-01) 13. James Ryan 14. Olan Casey 15. Mattie Collins (0-01) Subs: Fergal Moloney, Seamus Coffey (0-01), Damien Fitzgerald, Mossey Crowe, Peter Neary.
Garda started as they meant to continue and hit the opening point of the game. Further points from play were added with UCC's response limited to two long range frees from Eanna Martin. A high speculative ball into the UCC goal found it's way to the net via the Garda full-forward and although clearly in the square the goal was allowed to stand using a new interpretation of the "not interfering with play" clause in the rule book.
Garda continued to press ahead and it was clear that after missing plenty of scores in the drawn game they were not going to make the same mistake in the replay. The UCC defense, in which Denis Twomey and Timmy Geaney once again excelled, was under constant pressure as UCC failed to make any inroads upfront. UCC clearances were quickly returned with interest by Garda. The pressure eventually told and the concession of a needless foul led to a Garda penalty. This was not the best struck shot in the world but it still found its way to the corner of the net. A couple of more excellent points and Garda had built up a deserved 2-06 to 0-02 lead.
UCC finally found some traction up front in the closing minutes of the first half. This time a high speculative ball was played into the Garda goal and although clearly in the square Pat Cremin bundled the ball over the line and as at the other end the goal stood. Garda responded with a super goal following a brilliant low shot from 15 yards to the corner of the net. A great long range point from play from Gerard McGlacken concluded the scoring for the first half and UCC trailed by nine points at the break, 3-06 to 1-03.
UCC started the second half in a much more positive manner. The move of Rory Rice to midfield and the introduction of Fergal Moloney at full back added some much needed resolve. A pointed free from Eanna Martin and a fine point from play from a tight angle by Mattie Collins reduced the lead to seven points after the opening minutes.
A long puck-out from Seamus Cronin fell kindly to Ronan Spillane who took off on a solo run from 45 yards out. He beat his own man for pace, before flicking the ball over the head of the onrushing corner back and collecting the ball at the far side. He continued goalwards and a brilliant dummy past the full back left him with only the keeper to beat. A lovely flick under the body of the keeper finished the ball to the net for a great goal. The lead was now down to five and UCC were back in the game with 15 minutes to go with the score 3-06 to 2-04.
However, this was short lived as Garda quickly upped the ante and hit a succession of fine points to restore, and subsequently extend, their nine point advantage. Garda were well on top at this stage and pinged the ball across the field to unmarked colleagues to create a number of openings. The game was fully killed off with five minutes to go when Garda scored their fourth goal.
UCC did manage scores from an Eanna Martin free and towards the end Seamus Coffey added to a ball that was played into the square which flew over the bar from his hurley. At the final whistle Cork Garda ran out deserving 12 point winners, 4-13 to 2-07, and it is they who progress to the Munster Championship.
UCC Team: 1. Seamus Cronin 2. Denis Twomey 3. Rory Rice 4. Robert Dunphy 5. John Eakins 6. Timmy Geaney 7. Dave Stafford 8. Anthony Walsh 9. Eanna Martin (0-04, 4f) 10. Pat Cremin (1-00) 11. Ger McGlacken (0-01) 12. Ronan Spillane (1-01) 13. James Ryan 14. Olan Casey 15. Mattie Collins (0-01) Subs: Fergal Moloney, Seamus Coffey (0-01), Damien Fitzgerald, Mossey Crowe, Peter Neary.
Echo Report on Drawn Junior Hurling Final
The Evening Echo (09/09) featured a report on UCC's recent draw with Cork Garda in the final of the Junior A Hurling Championship. Click to enlarge.
Coverage of Hurling Semi Final
The Evening Echo (02/09) featured pictures of the two teams from UCC's recent win over The Bank of New York in the semi final of the Junior A Hurling Championship. Click to enlarge.
The UCC players are:
Back Row: Seamus Cronin, Robert Phelan, Robert Dunphy, Mossey Crowe, John Eakins, Eanna Martin, Timmy Geaney, Ger McGlacken
Front Row: Denis Twomey, Traolach Martin, Rory Rice, Denis Murphy, Seamus Coffey, Thomas Mullane, Ronan Spillane
The Echo report of UCC's 4-15 to 3-13 win in this game published a week earlier can be read here and a similar report posted to this site is available here.
Thrilling Draw in Junior Hurling Final!
UCC and Cork Garda played out a highscoring draw in the final of the Junior A Hurling Championship. After a thrilling affair the final score was UCC 2-18 Cork Garda 4-12 with UCC full forward Gerard McGlacken hitting an instinctive point deep in stoppage time to force the draw. This was a great game in which UCC hit 2-16 from play with most of the Garda scores also coming play.
Garda had the better start of the two teams but missed a number of scoreable chances, a pattern which was to continue throughout the game. UCC settled down and Rory Doherty hit over the first of five first half points from centre forward. This was added to with an excellent point on the run from midfielder Robert Dunphy. Garda had a number of chances from play and placed balls but struggled to hit the target.
Rory Doherty was having no such difficulty at the other end and fired over a number of fine points. The UCC pressure continued to build and Ronan Spillane and Frank Hickey hit a point apiece. Two points in the space of 60 seconds from wing forward Fergal Moloney pushed UCC into a five point lead with half time approaching. The lead would not last long as Garda got in for a relatively soft goal through the UCC full back line just before the break. This meant UCC led by two points, 0-11 to 1-06.
Garda came out much stronger in the second half and aided by a slight breeze they were back on level terms within two minutes. Shortly afterwards they hit their second goal to push into the lead for the first time but they failed to build on this as they continued to hit a high number of wides. UCC responded well and points from Rory Doherty and Ronan Spillane narrowed the gap. Garda had much more possesion at this stage but many of their passes forward were intercepted by great reading of the game from UCC corner back Denis Twomey, who was the best defender on show.
UCC were struggling to win possession around midfield and the half forward line and needed to get a foothold in the game. Forceful full forward Ger McGlacken was moved to wing forward and he won some vital puck outs. Some great thinking by centre back Timmy Geaney after he was fouled saw him hit a quick free into space for Ronan Spillane who was now at full forward. Spillane took on the full back and a brilliant finish over the keeper registered UCC's first goal of the night and they regained the lead.
In keeping with the nature of the game the lead did not last long and a high ball forward was caught by the Garda full forward who finished to the net to give Cork Garda a one point lead. Garda finally found their range from frees and the teams exchanged points with a great free from the sideline keeping Garda in the lead.
UCC introduced Pat Cremin to the full forward line and he had an immediate impact hitting a goal set up by Ronan Spillane. Cremin added a great point shortly afterwards to give UCC a three point lead. With only a few minutes left it looked like this would be enough to see UCC home.
Garda pushed forward and after being forced to settle for a point from one attack they searched for the winning goal. A great chance fell their way and a ferocious shot was brilliantly saved by UCC goalkeeper Seamus Cronin. The resulting melee saw UCC awarded a free out and it seemed victory was secured as there could only be seconds left.
However play continued up and down the field until the ball found its way to the Garda corner forward who took on the defence and he struck a great shot to the top corner to give Garda a one point lead. All eyes were on the referee but there was time for one more play. Seamus Cronin hit a great puck out and that was won brilliantly by Ger McGlacken. On the turn he hit a great shot over the bar that levelled the game.
This was now to be last play of the game as the referee called for the ball from the puck out with the scores tied, 2-18 to 4-12. Both teams probably felt they could have won it as the lead ebbed and flowed in the thrilling final minutes but both will undoubtedly be happy to get a second chance.
UCC Team: 1. Seamus Cronin, 2. Kieran Hickey, 3. Rory Rice, 4. Denis Twomey, 5. Robert Phelan, 6. Timmy Geaney, 7. Peter Barry, 8. Robert Dunphy (0-01), 9. Barry Leahy, 10. Ronan Spillane (1-04, 2f), 11. Rory Doherty (0-08), 12. Fergal Moloney (0-02), 13. Frank Hickey, (0-01), 14. Ger McGlacken (0-01), 15. James Ryan. Subs Pat Cremin (1-01), John Eakins, Anthony Walsh, Damien Fitzgerald, Peter Neary
Garda had the better start of the two teams but missed a number of scoreable chances, a pattern which was to continue throughout the game. UCC settled down and Rory Doherty hit over the first of five first half points from centre forward. This was added to with an excellent point on the run from midfielder Robert Dunphy. Garda had a number of chances from play and placed balls but struggled to hit the target.
Rory Doherty was having no such difficulty at the other end and fired over a number of fine points. The UCC pressure continued to build and Ronan Spillane and Frank Hickey hit a point apiece. Two points in the space of 60 seconds from wing forward Fergal Moloney pushed UCC into a five point lead with half time approaching. The lead would not last long as Garda got in for a relatively soft goal through the UCC full back line just before the break. This meant UCC led by two points, 0-11 to 1-06.
Garda came out much stronger in the second half and aided by a slight breeze they were back on level terms within two minutes. Shortly afterwards they hit their second goal to push into the lead for the first time but they failed to build on this as they continued to hit a high number of wides. UCC responded well and points from Rory Doherty and Ronan Spillane narrowed the gap. Garda had much more possesion at this stage but many of their passes forward were intercepted by great reading of the game from UCC corner back Denis Twomey, who was the best defender on show.
UCC were struggling to win possession around midfield and the half forward line and needed to get a foothold in the game. Forceful full forward Ger McGlacken was moved to wing forward and he won some vital puck outs. Some great thinking by centre back Timmy Geaney after he was fouled saw him hit a quick free into space for Ronan Spillane who was now at full forward. Spillane took on the full back and a brilliant finish over the keeper registered UCC's first goal of the night and they regained the lead.
In keeping with the nature of the game the lead did not last long and a high ball forward was caught by the Garda full forward who finished to the net to give Cork Garda a one point lead. Garda finally found their range from frees and the teams exchanged points with a great free from the sideline keeping Garda in the lead.
UCC introduced Pat Cremin to the full forward line and he had an immediate impact hitting a goal set up by Ronan Spillane. Cremin added a great point shortly afterwards to give UCC a three point lead. With only a few minutes left it looked like this would be enough to see UCC home.
Garda pushed forward and after being forced to settle for a point from one attack they searched for the winning goal. A great chance fell their way and a ferocious shot was brilliantly saved by UCC goalkeeper Seamus Cronin. The resulting melee saw UCC awarded a free out and it seemed victory was secured as there could only be seconds left.
However play continued up and down the field until the ball found its way to the Garda corner forward who took on the defence and he struck a great shot to the top corner to give Garda a one point lead. All eyes were on the referee but there was time for one more play. Seamus Cronin hit a great puck out and that was won brilliantly by Ger McGlacken. On the turn he hit a great shot over the bar that levelled the game.
This was now to be last play of the game as the referee called for the ball from the puck out with the scores tied, 2-18 to 4-12. Both teams probably felt they could have won it as the lead ebbed and flowed in the thrilling final minutes but both will undoubtedly be happy to get a second chance.
UCC Team: 1. Seamus Cronin, 2. Kieran Hickey, 3. Rory Rice, 4. Denis Twomey, 5. Robert Phelan, 6. Timmy Geaney, 7. Peter Barry, 8. Robert Dunphy (0-01), 9. Barry Leahy, 10. Ronan Spillane (1-04, 2f), 11. Rory Doherty (0-08), 12. Fergal Moloney (0-02), 13. Frank Hickey, (0-01), 14. Ger McGlacken (0-01), 15. James Ryan. Subs Pat Cremin (1-01), John Eakins, Anthony Walsh, Damien Fitzgerald, Peter Neary
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