UCC fail Teagasc test

UCC and Teagasc squared up in the last Cork GAA Interfirm game of the year in the Junior Hurling Cup final on Ballincollig’s excellent floodlit pitch.  In a touch, uncompromising game Teagasc held out for a three point victory on a scoreline of 1-09 to 1-06.

This was a game in which both sets of defenders won their respective battles.  Teagasc, in particular had a very effective and disciplined rearguard, which meant that UCC had the greater share of possession they could not convert it into scores.  Both full back lines in particular dominated their direct opponents.

The game was nearly ten minutes old before the first score game when UCC’s Stevie Moylan struck a point from play.  This was added to with a fine effort from Ronan Spillane.  The first ten minutes were particular marked by some forceful play from UCC full back Ray Dervan who dominated the early exchanges.  Even then, when Teagasc managed to break through they found UCC goalkeeper Eanna Martin difficult to beat and he pulled off a great point-blank save in a one-on-one situation with a Teagasc corner forward.

The teams traded points between the 12th and 17th before the half’s decisive score game when a Teagasc shot was deflected to the net for the game’s opening goal.  The battles remain tense and physical as the game progressed with proceedings threatening to boil over on occasions, but although tough, a foul stroke was rarely pulled.

UCC struggled to create much of an impression up front, but they did manage to win a 20m free with 23 minutes gone.  Stevie Moylan stepped up to the place ball and his rocket of a shot crashed against the cross-bar and rebounded to safety.

The first half ended in controversy with a high ball into the UCC goalmouth leading to a ‘schmozzole’ in the square.  UCC keeper Martin tried to smother the ball as Teagasc did all of their best to force man, ball and all over the line.  In the midst of the melee when arms, legs and hurley flailing it appeared as if one of the UCC defenders had inadvertently knocked ball over the line.  However, with Conrad Donovan reaching for the green flag referee Donal Kickham declared that in the midst the excitement he had blown the half-time whistle.  The outcome of some heated exchanges with Teagasc players and management did not alter his view and the teams with to the half-time break with Teagasc two point in front, 1-03 to 0-04.

On the resumption it was clear that Teagasc were going to try and atone for the perceived injustice at the end of the first half.  The thundered into the game.  UCC introduced Rory Rice to the half forward to try and get a physical foothold in this vital sector of the field.  Although Teasgasc were now controlling possession they found UCC centre back Fergal Moloney in dominant form while behind him, corner back Frank Tobin was alert to every breaking ball.

Teagasc stretched their lead with two long range points.  UCC replied with a well-taken effort from Frank Hickey that kept the gap to a manageable three points.  However, between the 38th and 46th Teagasc pushed clear and established a six-point lead.  The physical exchanges remained fierce and a few bouts of fisticuffs ensued.  One in particular saw the diminutive Stevie Moylan square up to the 6’ 4’’ Teagasc centre forward.  The height differential was negated as they fell to the ground with players from all sides piling in to sort the situation.

With less than 10 minutes left UCC released Eanna Martin from the confines of the goals in a bid to rescue the situation.  Things seemed to be turning UCC’s way when Pat Cremin bundled over a goal just as Martin was taking his new position on the forty.  UCC were now back in the game but with scores a premium they could not narrow the gap.  Each time UCC raised a white flag, Teagasc responded with a score of their own.

At this stage the UCC half back line was in complete control and they launched ball after ball into the opposing side of the field.  At times, however it appeared that Teagasc were playing with an extra man as time and again UCC’s attacking endeavours were thwarted.  If UCC were going to get back into this game they needed a goal.

With less than two remaining minutes it looked as if the move of Eanna Martin would deliver this score as he burst through on goal.  However he was forced wide and his well struck shot was smartly saved by the Teagasc keeper who tipped it away.  UCC pressed forward for the remaining seconds but could not find the game-saving score.

At the final whistle Teagasc deservedly took the honours on a scoreline of 1-09 to 1-06 in what was a tough but enjoyable hour’s hurling.

1. Eanna Martin 2. Michael Lingwood 3. Ray Dervan 4. Frank Tobin 5. Rob Phelan 6. Fergal Moloney 7. Michael O'Donoghue 8. Thomas Murray 9. Mark Cummins 10. Ronan Spillane (0-02) 11. Ger McGlacken 12. Olan Casey 13. Pat Cremin (1-00) 14. Stephen Moylan (0-03) 15. Frank Hickey (0-01) Subs Rory Rice, Seamus Coffey.

UCC capture Junior Football Cup

With the winter closing in UCC and County Council played the last Cork Interfirm football game of the year when they met in the final of the Junior Football Cup under the lights in Ballincollig on Monday night.

This was the strongest team that UCC had assembled for the year and with the Council struggling to reach a quorum of 15 players it was clear that UCC would have the advantage.  However, this belief seemed to feed through t0 the UCC team once the game started and they started in a very lethargic manner.

UCC had a lot of possession but running down blind alleys, a series of  misplaced passes and ill-chosen shots saw very few scores registered.  As the half progressed all of UCC’s players got more involved in the play.

Centre forward Dave Stafford was dominating the aerial exchanges and won a series of County Council kick outs in a row with some fine fetches.  UCC finally began to make their dominance tell on the scoresheet and kicked over some good points.  The Council changed their kick-out strategy and avoided the midfield battleground that was being won by UCC.  They targeted low, short kick outs to the wings that paid immediate dividends.

The Council got a few points to keep them in the game but a period of sustained pressure as the first half drew to a close saw them create a number of clear-cut goal chances.  One of these was kicked wide but they were extremely unlucky when a second chance was blazed against the cross-bar with goalkeeper Diarmaid Hallissey beaten.  UCC were fortunate to be 0-09 to 0-04 ahead at the break.

The County Council pushed more players forward in the second half in an immediate bid to narrow the gap.  However, this backfired at the UCC forwards were able to exploit the extra space they were now offered.  Instead of getting the goal that would get them back into the game, County Council conceded one with unmarked wing-forward Paddy O’Gorman fisting an excellent 40 yard pass from man-of-the-match Ronan Power to the net.

UCC added a second goal a few minutes later from Conor O’Regan which killed the game off as a contest.  County Council did not simply throw in the towel and they did press for the goal which would have narrowed the gap.  However, they found Diarmaid Hallissey in a determined mood and a couple of fine stops, and one excellent one in particular, rebuffed their efforts.

UCC substitute James Moylan was nicely teed up for UCC’s third goal which finished their scoring.  County Council were determined to raise a green flag and a fine move saw their full-forward put through in a one-on-one situation and he made no mistake with a tidy finish to the bottom left hand corner.

By the final whistle UCC had ran out deserving 3-13 to 1-07 winners and Dave Stafford collected UCC’s first silverware of what has been a long year of interfirm GAA.

UCC cannot get past Prison Officers

In an good game of hurling played under the lights at Mallow’s excellent GAA grounds, UCC second venture in provincial competitions came to a halt.  UCC could not match their exploits of 2008 when they reached the final of the Munster Junior Championship with a two-point defeat seeing them exit at the semi-final stage.

From the start it was clear that the Limerick Prison Officers would have the advantage in the physical exchanges but UCC turned to their extra mobility to provide them with an edge.  UCC started well but were largely dependent on frees from Eanna Martin for scores.  At the other end the Prison Officers used the wind that was at their back and struck over some fine long range efforts.

The score was tied at four points a piece when the Prison Officers worked a good goal with their corner forward first timing a ball to the net after being put through by a good through ball.  The teams exchanged points from here until half time and at the short whistle the Prison Officers were two points to the good, 1-07 to 0-08.

The second half followed the pattern of the first.  UCC had a lot of possession but could not convert it into scores from play.  When UCC did threaten they were invariably fouled and all of these indiscretions were punished by the unerring Martin.

Throughout the second half the Prison Officers always managed to keep their noses in front although their were five occasions when UCC narrowed the gap to a single point.  Each time the Prison Officers replied and re-established their half time lead of two points.

UCC did have one gloriously goal chance with 10 minutes left but the ground shot was dragged left and wide.  UCC’s lighter forwards were not able to forge a way past the strong Prison Office defence to create another goal chance.  UCC were always in touch but were never able to tie the game.

UCC did have one final chance when a dipping 30 yard shot cleaned the crossbar by less than a foot.  This was to be the final action of the game with the final whistle sounding immediately afterwards seeing Limerick Prison Officers deservedly proceed to the Munster Junior Championship final on a scoreline of 1-16 to 0-17.

UCC Qualify for Junior Cup Final

UCC played The Bank of New York in the semi-final of this year’s Junior Football Cup under the floodlights in Delaneys GAA Grounds on Monday night.  UCC’s ability to the crucial scores was decisive and they ran out relatively comfortable winners on a 2-17 to 0-11 scoreline.

UCC began brightly but some poor early shooting saw them fail to capitalise on their early possession.  A point a piece from corner forwards Ronan Spillane and Pat Dennehy sent UCC on their way.  A well-taken goal from Paddy Gorman pushed UCC into an early five point advantage.  After a jittery first few minutes Bank of New York settled to their task and got back into the game with a couple of points. 

UCC excellent midfielders Ronan Power and Colm O’Connell dominated the aerial exchanges and provided a steady supply of ball to their forwards.  A couple of excellent long range points from Ronan Spillane saw UCC maintain their lead.  The teams exchanged points for the last ten minutes of the half, and on Donal Kickham’s half-time whistle UCC lead by 1-08 to 0-06.

Bank of New York came out fast at the start of the second half but the UCC full back line held firm. BNY were limited to a number of long range shots.  A notable feature of the second half was the excellent fielding of Rob Phelan under Diarmaid Hallissey’s well-placed kick-outs.

After repelling the early assault from BNY, UCC set about advancing their lead.  S0me powerful shooting through the middle from Michael Byrne saw him fire over two excellent points off his left foot.   Midfielders Ronan Power and Colm O’Connell both added their name to the scoresheet.

Pat Dennehy maintained his form from the first half and kicked over two more points to bring his total for the hour to four points.  His final score, came from a quick free from the 45m line out by the sideline that hopped over the bar after eluding it’s intended target.

With 12 minutes left, Paddy Gorman popped up to knock in his second goal.  This came from a lovely drop-shot finish that went in off the right upright.  A dubious umpiring decision denied Jerry Reen a legitimate score but his industrious play led to assists for substitute  Jamie O’Driscoll to knock over two fine points.

By the end of the game UCC had accumulated an impressive tally of 2-17 leading to a 12-point win that sees UCC qualify for the Junior Football Cup Final where they will come up against Junior A Championship Finalists, County Council.

Team: 1. Diarmaid Hallissey 2. Kevin O’Mahony 3. Rory Rice 4. Eoin Barrett 5. Rob Phelan 6. Olan Casey 7. Anthony Walsh 8. Ronan Power (0-01) 9. Colm O’Connell (0-02) 10. Jerry Reen 11. Michael Byrne (0-02) 12. Paddy Gorman (2-02) 13 Pat Dennehy (0-04, 1f) 14 Don O’Connell (0-01, 1f) 15. Ronan Spillane (0-03) Subs: Conor O’Regan, Jamie O’Driscoll (0-02), Seamus Coffey

UCC lose Junior Hurling Final

UCC lost out to Cork Garda in the final of the Cork Junior A Hurling Championship on a scoreline of 3-16 to 0-09.  This was a game which Garda never looked like losing and their superiority showed all through.

UCC played with the aid of the breeze in the first half, and although they had plenty of possession, they failed to make much use of it.  UCC created plenty of chances but profligate shooting meant they failed to keep in touch on the scoreboard.  Over the course of the hour UCC hit over 20 wides which goes a long way to explaining the defeat.

At the half way stage Garda led 1-08 to 0-04.  In the second half UCC remained competitive but a continuing failing to convert possession into scores meant that the game quickly went out of their reach.  A far more impressive Garda outfit made much better use of the chances they created and established an unassailable lead.  In the final ten minutes Garda added two further goals to record an emphatic win.

With Cork Garda having won the 2009 All-Ireland Junior Championship they now go on to represent Cork in the Munster Senior Championship.  UCC, as Cork runners up, now progress onto the Munster Junior Championship where a better performance all round is required.

This will be UCC’s second time competing in Munster competitions. In 2008 they qualified for the Munster Junior Hurling Final following a win over Wyeth Pharmaceuticals from Clonmel in the semi-final.  In the Munster Final they were defeated by Analog Devices of Limerick.  This time they will hope to go one step further.

Team: 1. Seamus Cronin 2. Rob Phelan 3. Rory Rice 4. Denis Murphy 5. John Eakins 6. Fergal Moloney 7. Donal Og O'Donovan (0-01) 8. Donal Harold 9. Brendan Keohane 10.Michael Lingwood
11. Ger McGlacken (0-03, 2f) 12. Frank Hickey (0-01) 13. Eanna Martin (0-01, f) 14. Pat Cremin 15. James Moylan (0-01) Subs:
Ronan Spillane (0-01)

UCC Qualify for Junior A Hurling Final

UCC came out on top of a nine-goal semi final in the Junior A Hurling Championship, getting the better of the Bank of New York on a scoreline of UCC Staff 7-13 Bank of New York 2-13.  In the end it was UCC'’s ability to get goals that saw them progress to this year’s final.

It was the Bank of New York who settled first and they hit over the first three points of the game.  UCC responded with a pointed free from full-forward Stevie Moylan.  Bank of New York continued to apply the early pressure and opened up a four point lead.  Ger McGlacken hit over a fine point for UCC and corner forward Niall Griffin worked hard to add a point all of his own making.  However, these two instances apart UCC failed to make productive use of the possession they had and after 14 minutes BNY led by six points to three.

On the quarter hour mark UCC got a break when long sideline ball broke behind the BNY full back line and Stevie Moylan was on hand to race through and finish to the net.  This did not change the general pattern of play as BNY responded to hit over a number of excellent long range points.  UCC kept the scoreboard ticking over with a point from Tomas Murray following an excellent cross-field ball by Moylan and a well-taken effort from Olan Casey following a strong run through the heart of the BNY defence.

With five minutes of the first half remaining UCC took the lead for the first time with a great goal by Ger McGlacken, striking on the run to the top corner from just outside the 13m line.  This gave UCC a 2-05 to 0-09 led but BNY got back on level terms with two long range frees.  Donal Harold struck over the final score of the half to give UCC a one point lead, 2-06 to 0-11 at half time.

UCC had a slight wind advantage for the second half and made immediate use of it with points from Pat Cremin and Niall Griffin.  Following the second of these scores corner forward Pat Cremin intercepted a short puckout from the BNY keeper and a clever side-step past the full back put him through on goal and he easily finished to the net.  This established the lead that UCC were to maintain for the rest of the game.

Both teams exchanged points before UCC fourth goal came on 45 minutes.  A long ball from defence by Fergal Moloney was won by Stevie Moylan who rounded the full back and audaciously tapped the ball over the onrushing keeper. He met the ball on far side and guided it into the empty net.  Ger McGlacken and Moylan added points to further extend UCC’s lead.

BNY did not simply give up the game and two quick goals with ten minutes left had narrowed the UCC lead to six points, 4-11 to 2-11.   However this was to be as close an BNY got.  Moylan scored his hat-trick goal with six minutes left to re-establish UCC’s lead.  BNY did push forward but their late pressure only yielded a brace of points.

As BNY sent more and more players forward in a bid to chase the game, UCC’s forwards exploited the space and slack marking left behind.  Pat Cremin raised his second green flag of the night with a stunning first-time pull from just inside the 20m line.  The very final play of the game saw an unmarked Stevie Moylan score yet another goal as he walked the ball into an empty net.

These late scores which put some daylight between the teams only came about as BNY surged forward in a bid to salvage the game and the six point lead that UCC had entering the final minutes was a truer reflection of proceedings.  UCC will now meet Cork Garda in a bid to win the Junior A Championship for only the second time and the first time since 2008.

Team: 1. Seamus Cronin 2. Sean O'Leary 3. Rory Rice 4. Eoin Barrett 5. Rob Phelan 6. Fergal Moloney 7. Donal Og O'Donovan
8. Tomas Murray (0-01) 9. Brendan Keohane 10. Olan Casey (0-02) 11. Ger McGlacken (1-02) 12. Donal Harold (0-02) 13. Niall Griffin (0-02) 14. Stevie Moylan (4-03) 15. Pat Cremin (2-01)  Subs: John Eakins, Seamus Coffey

Poc Fada Competition

As it is the week leading up to the All-Ireland Hurling Final, UCC Staff GAA Club is running a Poc Fada (long strike*) Competition for all staff members.

UCC STAFF GAA CLUB

POC FADA

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3rd

12.30 – 2pm

THE MARDYKE GAA GROUNDS

The aim of the competition is simply to hit the ball as far as you can up the length of the field. It will only take a few minutes to come down and hit a few pocs. People are welcome to come down and try their hand at any stage between the times above. All equipment (hurleys and balls) will be provided.

The competition is open to all staff members (except the organising commitee!) and there will be categories run for all levels. There will be an overall category for all-comers but separate categories will also be held providing everyone with the opportunity to compete and enjoy the event.

• Hurling (male) and Camogie (female)
• National and International
• Colleges and Departments
• Absolute Beginners, Novices and Masters

For those who are unfamiliar with Hurling and would like to understand the game a quick tutorial will be provided on the basics. Further categories may be added on the day and categories between groups who wish to have their own competition can be quickly organised.

Entry to the competition is FREE. Tickets to a raffle with a first prize of Two All-Ireland Football Final Tickets will be available.

We look forward to seeing you in The Mardyke this Friday lunchtime.

UCC fall to The Bailey Pubs

UCC’s second championship outing in three days saw them fall to The Bailey Pubs in the semi-final of the Junior A Football Championship on Monday evening in the magnificent setting of the Mardyke GAA Grounds.  UCC could not follow up their excellent win in the hurling championship from Monday with victory in this game.

UCC began the game brightly and had most of the early possession as The Bailey Pubs had to wait a few minutes before getting their 15th man onto the field.  The first score of the game was an excellent left foot effort from full forward Declan O’Connell.  UCC spurned a number of other chances for scores.

At the other end The Bailey Pubs were far more efficient in front of goal and kicked a number of fine points to move into the lead.  UCC responded with a pointed free from Don O’Connell and a fine point from midfielder Tom Byrne.

As The Bailey Pubs withdrew one forward as a seventh defender, UCC goalkeeper Diarmaid Hallissey was able to find loose players with well-placed kick-outs.  However, UCC struggled to move the ball down the field and a number of turnovers saw chances created for The Bailey Pubs inside line, which in the most were converted.  For the remainder of the game UCC went to the long kick-out which paid greater dividends as Dave Stafford and Olan Casey dominated the aerial battle for possession.

After fifteen minutes the score was 0-04 to 0-03 in favour of The Bailey Pubs the next five minutes was to prove decisive.  An attack right through the UCC defence saw Hallissey pull off a point blank save.  The rebound broke to another on rushing attacker who drove hard straight into the UCC square.  Although stopped, these efforts were deemed to be illegal and The Bailey Pubs were awarded the game’s first penalty.  This was duly dispatched low and hard down to Diarmaid Hallissey’s left.

This stirred UCC into life and a period of sustained pressure saw Don Brosnan and Don O’Connell narrow the gap.  The Bailey Pubs were not out of the game for long and a series of excellent foot-passes the length of the field saw their full forward through on goal and he made no mistake with only the keeper to beat.  In fact, over the next few minutes The Bailey Pubs could have put the game beyond all doubt but a number of further goal chances were spurned or denied by fine saves by the UCC goal minder.

The closing minutes of the half saw the teams exchange points to leave the half-time score 2-05 to 0-06 in favour of The Bailey Pubs.  UCC began the second half with a much improved work rate and through points from Declan O’Connell and Michael Byrne they had narrowed the gap to two points.  This was to be as close as UCC got as The Bailey Pubs dominated possession for the large periods of the second half.  Their continued excellent use of the foot-pass, created the opportunities for their inside line who duly obliged by kicking the points that restored their five point lead.

These scores included one superb right-foot effort from deep in the right corner – the wrong side for such an effort.  UCC replied with Don O’Connell kicking over a close-range free, but these were more than matched by two excellent long range frees from The Bailey Pubs free-taker when frustrated UCC defenders fouled as The Bailey Pubs were continually able to create an unmarked player on the overlap.

With 12 minutes remaining UCC were granted a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty.  A defender for The Bailey Pubs swung back with his arm to strike Don O’Connell as he burst out of the square with the ball following an excellent high catch.  O’Connell dusted himself off and struck the ball to the exact same spot as The Bailey Pub’s first half penalty.  This goal brought UCC right back into game as the score stood 2-09 1-09 in favour of The Bailey Pubs

Although UCC were granted the lifeline it was The Bailey Pubs who responded best.  They now switched to maintaining possession and denied UCC the opportunity to further narrow the gap.  As UCC funnelled back to try and regain possession they found they had few players in an attacking position and generally gave the ball back as quick as they got it.

With five minutes left the game was killed off when a cross-field ball from right to left saw two from The Bailey Pubs unmarked and their left half back side-stepped Diarmaid Hallissey to finish easily to the net.  UCC did manage one more score through Don Brosnan but the final score of the game belonged to The Bailey Pubs.  When the final whistle blew it was they who progressed to the final of the Junior A Football Championship against County Council.

1. Diarmaid Hallissey 2. Fergus Reen 3. Rory Rice 4. Kevin O'Mahony 5. Rob Phelan 6. Olan Casey 7. Eoin Barrett 8. Dave Stafford 9. Tom Byrne (0-02) 10. Anthony Walsh 11. Michael Byrne  (0-01) 12. Don Brosnan (0-02) 13. Ronan Spillane 14. Declan O'Connell (0-02) 15. Don O'Connell (1-03, 1-02f). Subs: Neil Hanley, Denis Lynch, Seamus Coffey

UCC make winning start to Hurling Championship

In a high-scoring encounter played in Bishopstown on Monday evening UCC advanced to the semi-finals of the Junior A Hurling Championship with a 2-24 to 2-11 win over Teagasc/Cattle Breeders.  Although there was a wide gap at the end it was only in the last ten minutes that UCC pulled clear.

Teagasc played with the aid of the strong breeze in the first half but it was UCC who started the brighter.  Top scorer Eanna Martin fired over a smart point with UCC’s first attack after 30 seconds.  He followed this a minute later with a batted goal, after being set up by a Ronan Spillane solo run from the left corner.  Martin continued to dominate proceedings, and after four minutes, fired over another point, on this occasion of his own making.

Teagasc were not about to let UCC completely dictate proceedings, and with their half back line getting on top, began to provide possession for their attack.  Aided by the strong breeze Teagasc hit over a number of excellent long-range efforts, but they also saw a number of other efforts drift wide.  The Teagasc defence continued to dominate their UCC opponents and a huge clearance turned defence into immediate attack with the Teagasc full-forward first-timing an excellent shot to the back of the UCC net.

The game was now being controlled by Teagasc and they added two more white flags to open up a three point lead at the mid-way stage of the first half.  The UCC attack were struggling to make inroads and it was midfielder Pa Cronin’s brace of points which kept the scoreboard ticking over.

An attack down the right hand side put the Teagasc corner forward through on goal and he struck the ball past the onrushing Seamus Cronin. A small bit of commotion ensued about the legitimacy of score but referee Donal Kickham quickly put umpire Diarmaid Hallissey right and the green flag was duly raised.

Teagasc were now four points to the fore, 2-5 to 1-04, but a couple of well-placed puck-outs saw UCC gain some much needed primary possession which led to half-forward Brendan Keohane and impressive midfielder Pa Cronin scoring, to narrow the gap to two points.  With half time approaching the teams traded points to leave UCC two points in arrears at the break, 1-06 to 2-07, though they would have the benefit of the strong breeze in the second half.

UCC’s start to the second half meant the breeze was of little use as they did not have the ball.  Teagasc once again extended their lead to four points with a point from play and a huge free from their own half against the wind by their centre back.  UCC finally settled to their task and began to chip into the Teagasc lead.  Points from Eanna Martin, Ronan Spillane, Pa Cronin and Leo Sexton narrowed the gap but Teagasc kept their noses in front with a couple of their own.

The UCC half back line of Timmy Geaney, Fergal Moloney and Michael O’Donoghue provided an avalanche of possession for UCC’s attacking sextet and as the half wore on they finally began to make inroads.  An excellent cross-field ball from Tomas Murray saw full-forward Seamus Coffey flash a shot over the bar from 20m when a shot for goal could have paid more dividends.  With the game entering the final quarter this score saw UCC take the lead for the first time since Eanna Martin’s quick-fire scoring burst at the start of the game.

The goal UCC sought wasn’t long in coming and with their next attack, a strong run through the middle from Eanna Martin drew the last defender, and a well placed pass saw Coffey finish to the Teagasc net.  UCC were now in firm control of the game and this goal pushed them four points clear 2-10 to 2-14 with just over ten minutes left.

UCC pressed home this advantage to the full and in the last ten minutes UCC outscored Teagasc by ten points to one.  Pa Cronin added to his impressive haul from midfield with three fine points in this period.  His midfield partner Tomas Murray also struck over a couple of excellent long range efforts.  The closing minutes saw UCC’s full forward line of Martin, Coffey and Spillane hit over points as those further out the field created a host of opportunities.

In the end UCC ran out comfortable winners, 2-24 to 2-11 and now move on to play the winners of North Cork Garda and Bank of New York in the semi-finals of the championship.

1. Seamus Cronin 2. Sean O'Leary 3. Rory Rice 4. Denis Murphy
5. Timmy Geaney 6. Fergal Moloney 7. Michael O'Donoghue 8. Patrick Cronin (0-07, 1f) 9. Thomas Murray (0-02) 10. Brendan Keohane  (0-01) 11.Ger McGlacken (0-01) 12. Leo Sexton (0-01)13. Ronan Spillane  (0-03) 14. Seamus Coffey (1-02) 15. Eanna Martin (1-07)

UCC win Championship opener

In an entertaining game played in Bishopstown on Wednesday evening UCC Staff edged out North Cork Garda by one point in the first round of the Junior A Football Championship.  Goals from Donagh O’Mahony and Jerry Reen set up UCC’s first even win at this grade.

The game begun in bright, benign conditions but this suddenly changed after just three minutes as a thundershower poured rain down on proceedings.  UCC started brightly but some poorly struck shots failed to find the target.  After just five minutes UCC’s right half forward, Tom Byrne, had to leave the game with a hamstring injury and he was replaced by UCC’s solitary substitute, Donagh O’Mahony.  O’Mahony made an immediate impact kicking a fine point off his left with his first touch of the ball.

UCC continued to gain a lot of possession through the midfield pairing of Dave Stafford and Liam Murphy.  This led to further points from Michael Byrne and Jerry Reen, who saw an effort for goal deflected over the bar by the North Cork Garda goalkeeper.

UCC lose out in Junior Hurling Cup

In a busy week for the UCC Staff GAA team, the hurlers lined out in the semi-final of the Junior Hurling Cup against Cork Garda in the scenic Mardyke GAA grounds on Wednesday evening.  With the hard ground extremely slippery after a light shower conditions were testing but this did not prevent a fine game from been played out.  When the final whistle went Cork Garda were ahead but UCC will rue a lack lustre first half that left them with two much to do.

UCC won the toss and played with the breeze in the first half.  However, from the throw-in, Cork Garda seemed to be interested outfit.  They hit a couple of quick points to open up a two point lead.  The UCC attack finally kicked into gear and a well-struck Stephen Moylan from the right wing was followed by a point from play from Ronan Spillane.

Cork Garda responded straightaway and hit three unanswered points and but for a number of errant shots could have pulled further ahead.  Two more frees from Moylan and a pointed effort from corner forward James Moylan were separated by a couple of excellent points from play from the Cork Garda half forward line.

With Garda two points in the lead with twenty minutes gone, the game changed in a two-minute period when Garda struck for two fine goals. Both were the result of first-time pulls on the sliotar from balls that broke around the UCC goalmouth.  Cork Garda built on this strong position and with apparent lethargy among the UCC outfit Garda held a deserved 2-08 to 0-06 advantage at the half time interval.

UCC shot down by Naval Services

UCC bowed out of this year’s Junior B Football Cup following a nine point defeat to a much improved Naval Services side in game played in Shanbally on Monday evening.

UCC lost the toss and played against the first half facing a very stiff breeze and up the substantial slope of the second pitch of Shamrocks fine grounds in Shanbally.  In spite of this UCC started brightly and full forward Willie Fahy kicking a fine point.  Unfortunately most of the play was at the other end of the field for the rest of the half and this proved to be UCC’s sole score of the opening period.

A very strong Naval Services team dominated possession and kept UCC pinned into their own half of the field.  In response the UCC full back line defended resolutely with full back Sean O’Leary marshalling those around him.

UCC struggled under Diarmaid Hallissey’s kick-outs and this gave a steady stream of possession to the Naval Services attack.  It is a credit to the UCC defence that few goal chances came the way of the Navy and all their scores in the first half resulted in the white flag being raised by hard-working umpire, Conrad Donovan.

UCC granted walkover

UCC were granted a walkover after Novartis forfeited in the first round of the Junior B Football Cup.  UCC will now play Naval Services in the semi-final.

UCC get year off to winning start

Last Monday night on the main pitch in Bishopstown GAA Club the UCC Staff GAA Club started the 2010 season with a well-deserved 3-17 to 1-09 win over Cork Teachers in the first round of the Junior Hurling Cup.  UCC now go on to play Cork Garda in the semi-final.

UCC lined out with most of the regulars from the last few years in position.  Due to an initial shortage of players on the Teachers’ team the game began at 13-a-side.  This meant there was plenty of space in the early stages which suited some of UCC’s players but was not so kind to others.

UCC began brightly and hit over the first scores of the game.  Stephen Moylan looked dangerous in the extra space available in the full forward line and knocked over a fine point.  Midfielder John Gorman burst through the Teachers’ defence and from 15 yards fired over the bar when a goal looked on.  The Teachers’ goalkeeper made a number of fine saves that encouraged UCC to take their points rather than go for goals.

Pat Cremin also made use of the extra space, scoring one fine point and laying on an assist for two more.  After eight minutes UCC led four points to zero but two quick points from the Teachers quickly narrowed the gap.  UCC restored their lead with a well-worked points from Daniel Foley and Ronan Spillane.  Eanna Martin added two points from frees and a fine long distance effort from play.

New Season Begins

The 2010 Interfirm is about to begin!

Our first fixture is now on Monday June 14th in the Junior Hurling Cup against Cork Teachers in the Mardyke at 8pm.

In the Junior B Football Cup we play Novartis in a game to be fixed.

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