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.