UCC captured their second Interfirm football cup of the year with a deserved win over South West Energy Services (SWS) in the Murphy Cup A Final. A strong second half performance under the excellent floodlights in Ballincollig saw UCC come out on top on a scoreline of 1-13 to 0-09. UCC trailed by two points at half time, 0-04 to 0-06 but turned it around after the break and ran out seven point winners.
UCC started the game brightly and dominated possession for large periods. However they failed to convert this possession into scores as the final ball into the full forward line was poor. From limited possession SWS looked more dangerous and kicked the first scores of the game.
UCC finally got off the mark with a well taken free from Don O'Connell. At the other end SWS were causing problems for the UCC defence and they were awarded a large number of frees. In fact, five of SWS's six scores in the first half were the result of indiscretions from the UCC defence. Throughout the half it seemed that the UCC full forward line had the measure of their markers but misplaced and delayed passes meant they failed to take advantage to this. One of the better passes saw Garret Casey nearly goal with a good fisted effort.
UCC were largely dependant on the industry of centre forward Michael Byrne to make inroads. He kicked a fine point from play and earned a free which was converted by Don O'Connell. UCC's final score of the half came from O'Connell to leave the gap at two points at half time, UCC 0-04 SWS 0-06.
During the break UCC introduced Dave Stafford to midfield and Ronan Power came on at half forward. These two players had a huge role in swinging the game UCC's way. Stafford added great strength and ball winning ability in the middle of the field while Power kicked over three superb points from play.
UCC were much the better team in the second half and had quickly overturned the half time deficit with a point from Power and two more from Don O'Connell, who finished with 1-05 to his name. Dave Prendergast really came into the game in the second half and kicked over a great point following a storming run down the left wing from half back. This had UCC two points in front, eight points to six.
A sustained period of pressure saw UCC awarded a penalty after an SWS defender was forced to pick the ball straight off the ground in the goalmouth when UCC seemed certain to score. However, Don O'Connell's well hit shot beat the keeper but struck the bottom of the right-hand post and bounced to safety. SWS were boosted by this and in the following few minutes hit two of their three second half points to level the scores at eight points apiece.
UCC regained their foothold in the game with some great catches from Colm O'Connell and Dave Stafford. One such catch by O'Connell saw him feed wing back Donal Og O Donovan who led a great passing move through the SWS defence but the end result saw John Eakins pull his shot narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
UCC didn't have long to wait for the game's defining score which came after 15 minutes of the secong half. Another fine catch by Colm O'Connell saw UCC work the ball through for Don O'Connell to palm the ball first time to the net. UCC built on their advantage by adding further points from Ronan Power and Jerry Reen to open up a decisive six point lead, 1-11 to 0-08 as the game moved into the final ten minutes.
SWS responded with a point but the UCC defence held firm as SWS sought the goal that would bring them back into the game. This was epitomised by Diarmaid Herlihy who dived bravely in front of a goalbound effort and took a heavy blow. In goal Diarmaid Hallissey was always decisive and a first time clearance from him was won by Stafford in the middle of the field. He laid the ball off to the onrunning Donal Og O'Donovan and an excellent quick ball delivered from distance saw the hardworking Garret Casey beat his man and kick a fine point to push UCC further ahead.
UCC's last score came when Dave Prendergast reprised his storming run of earlier in the half and cut straight through from his half back berth to kick a stunning point from 35 yards. Shortly afterwards the final whistle went with UCC winners by 1-13 to 0-09.
UCC captain Olan Casey accepted the cup and gave a fine speech. Afterwards midfielder Colm O'Connell was deservedly presented with the Man of the Match award. After losing their first six football finals in a row (see sidebar) UCC have now completed a much more positive three-in-a-row with victories in the Finals of the 2008 Junior B Cup, the 2009 Junior Cup and now the 2009 Murphy Cup. The next step will be to add a Championship success which has so far proved elusive.
Team: Diarmaid Hallissey, Kevin O'Mahony, Rory Rice, Diarmaid Herlihy, Dave Prendergast (0-02), Olan Casey, Robert Phelan, Donal Og O'Donovan, Colm O'Connell, John Eakins, Michael Byrne(0-01), Aidan Kelliher, Don O'Connell (1-05, 3f), Jerry Reen, (0-01), Garret Casey (0-01). Subs: Dave Stafford, Ronan Power (0-03), Pat Dennehy, Eoin O'Leary, Denis Lynch, Willie Fahy, Seamus Coffey.
Last Second Goal Costs UCC Title
UCC lost by one point to Bank of New York in the Junior B Hurling Championship Final played under lights in the Mardyke on Wednesday night. Deep in stoppage time UCC led by two points but a ground shot following a 65 that was dropped into the square saw Bank of New York score a match-winning goal. The final whistle blew before the puck out could be taken.
UCC started the game very poorly and in truth were lucky to be only four points down at half time. BNY were completely on top for the opening period but some wayward shooting meant they were only three points to the good after 12 minutes. UCC finally got off the mark with a well taken Mike Wilkinson point but BNY were completely outplaying the UCC midfield and half back line.
BNY struggled to make use of their possession but added on two more points to open up a four point lead. UCC then had two great goal opportunities in quick succession but failed to take advantage of either. Wilkinson apart, a lack of a credible threat upfront was limiting UCC's chances. Wilkinson added a second point and Gerard McGlacken worked hard to knock over a fine point.
Bob Dunphy, Rory Rice and Denis Murphy were under constant pressure in the UCC full back line and their efforts kept UCC in the game. BNY had the lion's share of possession but a tendency to over-elaborate and some ill-chosen shots cost them on the scoreboard. At the half time whistle the score was 0-08 to 0-04.
During the break UCC introduced Eanna Martin on the 40' and moved McGlacken to full forward. Following the restart UCC were a transformed team with overall workrate and effort levels far higher than in the first half. Martin, along with Ronan Spillane and Colm O'Connell on the wings finally began to make inroads on the BNY half back line.
UCC shot over quick points from Spillane and Wilkinson. These were added to with a well worked goal from Eanna Martin following a strong run through the middle. UCC had now wiped out BNY's half time advantage but BNY responded with some good points of their own to restore a two point lead. Soon afterwards Ger McGlacken pounced on a loose ball and crashed a brilliant first time shot to the net for UCC's second goal. UCC could have built on this but some gilt-edged goal chances were squandered.
A high ball to the UCC goal mouth was forced over the line into the net to get BNY back into the game. The melee that led to the goal saw UCC full back Rory Rice suffer a nasty belt to the knee and following a lengthy delay he had to leave the field.
However following a quick dash of water and a rub of an ice pack Rice re-entered the fray and manned the centre forward position. He had an immediate impact and crashed over a great point. UCC were well on top at this stage and responded well to the BNY goal. Further points were added by Spillane and Wilkinson. Eanna Martin complemented these with a couple of fine frees with BNY's response limited to a couple of points.
Entering added time UCC were one point ahead. Substitute Niall Morrisey hit over an excellent point and UCC were now seemingly headed for victory. A late goalbound effort from BNY was deflected out for over the endline. For the resultant 65 the packed goalmouth seemed inpenetrable but somehow a tame ground shot from BNY found its way over the line for the winning goal. This put BNY into a 2-13 to 2-12 lead and the final whistle was blown before play could be restarted.
Losing to a last minute goal is obviously disappointing but following a poor first half UCC were lucky to be only four points behind. Even when UCC were on top in the second half BNY managed to keep in touch and it was this resiliance that left them in position to benefit from the last minute goal.
Since being reformed in 2004 this was UCC's 16th final in Interfirm competitions. From those 16 final appearances UCC have garnered five victories (and one walkover). UCC have one remaining chance for silverware with the Murphy Cup Football Final against South West Energy Services on Monday night.
Team: 1. Seamus Cronin 2. Robert Dunphy 3. Rory Rice (0-02) 4. Denis Murphy 5. John Eakins 6. Donnacha Carr 7. Robert Phelan 8. Mike Fitzgerald 9. Gavin Sullivan 10. Ronan Spillane (0-01) 11. Ger McGlacken (1-01) 12. Colm O'Connell 13. Peter Neary 14. Seamus Coffey 15. Mike Wilkinson (0-04, 1f). Subs. Eanna Martin (1-03, 2f), Conor Lonergan, Donagh O'Mahony, Niall Morrissey (0-01), Brian McGann.
UCC started the game very poorly and in truth were lucky to be only four points down at half time. BNY were completely on top for the opening period but some wayward shooting meant they were only three points to the good after 12 minutes. UCC finally got off the mark with a well taken Mike Wilkinson point but BNY were completely outplaying the UCC midfield and half back line.
BNY struggled to make use of their possession but added on two more points to open up a four point lead. UCC then had two great goal opportunities in quick succession but failed to take advantage of either. Wilkinson apart, a lack of a credible threat upfront was limiting UCC's chances. Wilkinson added a second point and Gerard McGlacken worked hard to knock over a fine point.
Bob Dunphy, Rory Rice and Denis Murphy were under constant pressure in the UCC full back line and their efforts kept UCC in the game. BNY had the lion's share of possession but a tendency to over-elaborate and some ill-chosen shots cost them on the scoreboard. At the half time whistle the score was 0-08 to 0-04.
During the break UCC introduced Eanna Martin on the 40' and moved McGlacken to full forward. Following the restart UCC were a transformed team with overall workrate and effort levels far higher than in the first half. Martin, along with Ronan Spillane and Colm O'Connell on the wings finally began to make inroads on the BNY half back line.
UCC shot over quick points from Spillane and Wilkinson. These were added to with a well worked goal from Eanna Martin following a strong run through the middle. UCC had now wiped out BNY's half time advantage but BNY responded with some good points of their own to restore a two point lead. Soon afterwards Ger McGlacken pounced on a loose ball and crashed a brilliant first time shot to the net for UCC's second goal. UCC could have built on this but some gilt-edged goal chances were squandered.
A high ball to the UCC goal mouth was forced over the line into the net to get BNY back into the game. The melee that led to the goal saw UCC full back Rory Rice suffer a nasty belt to the knee and following a lengthy delay he had to leave the field.
However following a quick dash of water and a rub of an ice pack Rice re-entered the fray and manned the centre forward position. He had an immediate impact and crashed over a great point. UCC were well on top at this stage and responded well to the BNY goal. Further points were added by Spillane and Wilkinson. Eanna Martin complemented these with a couple of fine frees with BNY's response limited to a couple of points.
Entering added time UCC were one point ahead. Substitute Niall Morrisey hit over an excellent point and UCC were now seemingly headed for victory. A late goalbound effort from BNY was deflected out for over the endline. For the resultant 65 the packed goalmouth seemed inpenetrable but somehow a tame ground shot from BNY found its way over the line for the winning goal. This put BNY into a 2-13 to 2-12 lead and the final whistle was blown before play could be restarted.
Losing to a last minute goal is obviously disappointing but following a poor first half UCC were lucky to be only four points behind. Even when UCC were on top in the second half BNY managed to keep in touch and it was this resiliance that left them in position to benefit from the last minute goal.
Since being reformed in 2004 this was UCC's 16th final in Interfirm competitions. From those 16 final appearances UCC have garnered five victories (and one walkover). UCC have one remaining chance for silverware with the Murphy Cup Football Final against South West Energy Services on Monday night.
Team: 1. Seamus Cronin 2. Robert Dunphy 3. Rory Rice (0-02) 4. Denis Murphy 5. John Eakins 6. Donnacha Carr 7. Robert Phelan 8. Mike Fitzgerald 9. Gavin Sullivan 10. Ronan Spillane (0-01) 11. Ger McGlacken (1-01) 12. Colm O'Connell 13. Peter Neary 14. Seamus Coffey 15. Mike Wilkinson (0-04, 1f). Subs. Eanna Martin (1-03, 2f), Conor Lonergan, Donagh O'Mahony, Niall Morrissey (0-01), Brian McGann.
Coverage of Replayed Hurling Final
The Evening Echo (07/10) ran a report on the replayed final of the Junior A Hurling Championship in which UCC lost out to Cork Garda. Click image to enlarge.
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