UCC battle to retain cup

UCC ... 2 UCD ... 1UCC retained the Collingwood Cup, Intervarsity football championship, when they came from behind to pip favourites, UCD, in a thrilling final at the Mardyke yesterday.

UCD goalkeeper James Myers emerged as one of the heroes of a tense contest when he saved two penalties in the second half from Shane Hennessy after 60 minutes and Paul Rose three minutes later.

UCC led 2-1 at the time and a third goal would have finished the contest as both sides showed tiredness after an exhausting programme of five matches in five days.

Only once did UCD look like scoring the goal they needed to take the game into extra time despite the fact that they enjoyed a lot of possession.

They were virtually celebrating an equalising goal when their centre-back Niall Donnelly got in a clean header from a corner from Hugh Davey in the 67th minute but Jack O'Connell headed off the goal-line.

UCD were hampered by the loss of Pat Burke with an injury after 43 minutes for he was their most dangerous attacking player. In his absence they were given few opportunities to trouble goalkeeper Brendan O'Connell.

Yet UCD thrived early in the game and Burke set up the opening goal for them with a run along the end line before he turned the ball across the penalty area for Davey to score.

UCC had the tougher passage to the final but they showed great reserves of stamina as they gradually got on top in midfield. A goal after 40 minutes from a spectacular Shane Hennessy volley brought the equaliser.

Their winning goal arrived after 52 minutes. A corner from the right by Ken Bruton fell kindly in the penalty area for Alan Weldon to shoot home.

Paul Rose was an inspirational figure for them up front and it was no coincidence that he was the one fouled for the two second half penalties.

And it needed a brave diving save at his feet by the brilliant Myers to prevent him from snatching a third in a breakaway attack 15 minutes from the end.

UCC: B O'Connell; J O'Connell, D Collins, R Bambury, J Herlihy; S Hennessy, K Bruton, A Weldon, P Gleeson; K Cannon (B Leahy 54), P Rose.

UCD: J Myers; J Molloy, D O'Riain, N Donnelly, E Light; H Davey, G Whelan, K Sharkey (B Harrington 65), P McWalter; P Burke (C Sergeant 43), O Crean (R Jones 72).

Referee: D Deady (Cork)