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
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