Lehane scores 1-12 as UCC outclass Carlow IT

UCC 1-24 CARLOW 1T 0-14

Cork senior Conor Lehane gave a master class in finishing, scoring 1-12, 1-5 from play, as UCC outclassed Carlow IT at the IT Carlow grounds last night.

Lehane was unplayable, scoring points from all angles, finding the home net with a well-taken 49th minute goal after ghosting inside the defence to crash the sliotar past a helpless Conor Clancy in the Carlow goal.

The sides were level nine times in an exciting opening half. But in the five minutes before half-time the visitors tacked on four points to lead 0-13 to 0-9 at half time.

The opening half of this game did not provide much indication that it would eventually turn out to be such a clear-cut win for the Cork students.

In the first minute UCC took the lead through a wonderful 80-metre point from their talented right half back and captain James Barry.

The Upperchurch, Tipperary, clubman added another wonderful long-range point from play later in the half.

The sides were level s nine times in an exciting opening half. But in the five minutes before half-time the visitors tacked on four points to lead 0-13 to 0-9 at the break.

Lehane pointed a UCC free within two minutes of the restart and then added another out of play before half time substitute Alan Cadogan, brother of Cork dual player Eoin, marked his arrival with a point from play.

IT Carlow were simply found themselves overwhelmed in that second half. The Cork defence was superb, taking complete control while UCC players were picking out their men with great precision as their lead continued to grow.

Lehane’s goal put UCC 1-19 to 0-11 in front and from there to the end the visitors showed the depth of their hurling skill against an outclassed opposition.

In all nine UCC players made the scoresheet, including midfielders Brian Murray, Daniel Roche and substitutes Alan Cadogan, Jack Ahern and Mark Sugrue, while right full forward Willie Griffin was a constant thorn in the side of the home defence.

Clare’s All-Ireland hero Shane O’Donnell made a brief appearance for UCC in the game’s final minutes.

Richie Doyle, Barry Harding, Ian Byrne, Stephen Maher and Joe Brennan showed up best for a well-beaten home side.

The winners, who defeated Waterford IT 0-14 to 0-9 in their previous outing, look a very formidable side who will go hard for Fitzgibbon honours.

UCC: D McCarthy; S Maher, D Glynn, P Sullivan; J Barry (0-2), P Prendergast, C Murphy; B Murray (0-2), D Roche (0-2); B Lawton, D McCormack, R O'Shea (0-1); W Griffin (0-2), C Lehane (1-12, 0-5 frees, 65), J Barron. Subs: A Cadogan (0-1) for Lawton (h/t); M Sugrue (0-1)for McCormack (46); C Spillane for Prendergast (46); J Ahern (0-1) for Griffin (53); S O'Donnell for Barry (55).
IT CARLOW: C Clancy; J Carroll, E Malone, B Harding; C Tobin, R Doyle, S Gardiner; G Brennan, T Carroll; S Maher (0-7, five frees) I Byrne (0-2, one free), K Kelly; J Brennan (0-2), C Kenny (0-2), D Dowling (0-1). Subs: P McEvoy for Malone (injured) (35); M Sexton for Dowling (50); P Ryan for Kenny, C Wall for Kenny (both 56).
Referee: J Owens (Wexford).