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.
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