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.
After 10 minutes North Cork Garda finally won some meaningful possession and it quickly became evident that their forwards would score if given the opportunity.  Two excellent long range points were quickly added to the North Cork Garda account to cut the UCC lead to one.

UCC’s next possession saw Seamus Coffey’s half-blocked effort fall kindly to Donagh O’Mahony who first timed the ball to the roof of the net to open up a four point lead with fifteen minutes gone.  North Cork Garda responded immediately and fired over two more excellent long range points.  North Cork Garda did have the benefit of a slight wind but their ability to kick scores from distance should have caused concern for UCC’s management team of Rory Rice and Sean O’Leary had they seen it. 

Michael Byrne was always involved in the game at centre forward for UCC and one of many strong runs saw a ‘45’ awarded to UCC.  Centre back Mike Mennis stepped forward and put a great effort over the bar against the slight wind.  By this time the thunderstorm had abated which allowed all concerned to dry off and saw UCC management team resume their position on the line after seeking sanctuary in the dressing rooms.  Another fine point from left half forward Jerry Reen and another from Michael Byrne saw UCC build up a three point lead as half time approached.

A lack of composure in possession when on the attack with only a minute left in the first half saw UCC lose the ball. North Cork Garda quickly moved the ball forward and worked another fine long range point.  North Cork Garda won the resultant kick out and the ball was sent straight back over the bar.  As the half time whistle went UCC were one point ahead, 1-06 to 0-08.

The second half was played in excellent conditions and it was the setting sun that provided the only weather problem.  UCC won a lot of possession with half backs Anthony Walsh and Eoin Barrett picking up a lot of breaks from the UCC midfielders.  Another goal-bound effort from Jerry Reen was deflected over for a point, and this was quickly added to with a pointed free from Don O’Connell to open up a three point lead for UCC.

North Cork Garda replied with a point of their own, but ten minutes into the second half UCC opened up the decisive lead when a clever handpass from Seamus Coffey put Jerry Reen through on goal and his excellent finish gave the North Cork Garda goalkeeper no chance on this occasion.

UCC did not push on from this position but always managed to keep their noses in front.  North Cork Garda did threaten to get back into the game with ten minutes left when an excellent move down the left wing saw them work the ball towards the UCC goal where an over zealous tackle saw North Cork Garda awarded a penalty.  UCC goalkeeper Diarmaid Hallissey was rooted to the spot as an excellent kick from the 11m mark by the North Cork Garda centre forward found the bottom left corner of the net with umpire Conrad Donovan reaching for the green flag.

UCC’s lead was now down to two, but UCC’s next attack saw the ball worked into right corner forward Stephen Moylan who curled a delicious left foot effort over the bar. With four minutes left Don O’Connell kicked the insurance score to give UCC a four point lead once again.

North Cork Garda did not throw in the towel and they pushed everything forward in a bid to snatch the goal that would get them back into the game.  On a number of occasions they worked the ball into the danger zone but they were repelled with some great tackling and heavy hitting from UCC full back Olan Casey.  Deep in added time North Cork Garda were awarded a free about 50m from the UCC goal.  A high ball played into the square was excellently grabbed by the North Cork Garda centre forward who kicked a super finish into the exact spot he had placed the penalty some ten minutes earlier.

The lead was now down to one and the game came down to the final play as the referee announced that there was only seconds left.  UCC excellent centre back Mike Mennis took on the kick-out responsibilities and his booming kick cleared halfway with Anthony Walsh running on to pick up the breaking ball.  Walsh fed the ball quickly to Stephen Moylan with the referee blowing full time as Moylan maintained position by the sideline in the corner.

After being comfortably ahead at one stage UCC were relieved to hear the final whistle confirm their one point victory on a scoreline of 2-12 to 2-11.  UCC now move on to the semi-final  of the Junior A Championship where they will face The Bailey Pubs in a few weeks time.

1 Diarmaid Hallissey 2 Kevin O’Mahony 3 Olan Casey 4 Don Brosnan 5 Eoin Barrett 6 Mike Mennis (0-01, 1 45) 7 Anthony Walsh 8 Dave Stafford 9 Liam Murphy 10 Tom Byrne 11 Michael Byrne (0-02) 12 Jerry Reen (1-04) 13 Stephen Moylan (0-01) 14 Don O’Connell (0-03, 1f)  15 Seamus Coffey. Sub Donagh O’Mahony (1-01) for Tom Byrne (injured) 5 mins.