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
