Lehane points the way as UCC time their run nicely

UCC 1-20 UCD 0-14:UCC manager Eddie Enright is hoping that his side have timed their run for the Fitzgibbon Cup perfectly after they powered past UCD thanks to a dominant second-half display at Carnmore yesterday.

Nine points from Conor Lehane proved key, but it wasn’t until Brian O’Sullivan’s goal in injury-time that a true reflection of their dominance showed on the scoreboard.

But with Mary Immaculate – who they drew with in the group stages – waiting in today’s decider, Enright is expecting another tight battle.

“We always aimed for the weekend to try and peak. Hopefully we haven’t peaked yet. It was a good performance, I am delighted with the workrate and delighted with the space they created and hopefully we can continue it tomorrow,” said Enright, who captained UCC to the title in 1998.

UCC dominated the second 30 minutes, outscoring Nicky English’s side by 1-11 to 0-5, but they needed to show their strength as the Dublin students finished the first half the stronger with five points in a row to leave it 0-9 each at the break.

But English conceded that his side – who had Limerick’s Conor Allis sent off with five minute remaining – were very lucky to be that close to UCC after a poor first 20 minutes.

“We were under pressure from the word go. We are disappointed really. We seemed to be second to the ball and we had a few injuries, Jack Guiney was a big loss to us, but there is no excuse. We were beaten by a far better team,” said English.

But in the end, UCC’s ability to win possession in their half-back line and deliver accurate ball into a lively full-forward line was the difference in the sides. Even the introduction of All-Ireland winners John Tennyson and Walter Walsh from Kilkenny had little impact.

A key cog in their half-back line was Tipperary’s James Barry and his three points at crucial times helped UCC to conquer some periods of UCD promise.

Indeed UCD also started the second period quite well and points from Allis and Noel McGrath had then level at 0-11 each in the 39th minute.

But at each whiff of danger, UCC stepped their efforts up a notch and four points in as many minutes from OSullivan, Seamus Harnedy, Lehane and Barry Lawton eased them clear before they won out.