Twiss has the final twist of the knife

SIGERSON CUP/Semi-finals: UCC ... 1-9 UUJ ... 1-8 Ian Twiss was the toast of UCC as the Munster college dethroned reigning champions University of Ulster Jordanstown after extra-time at Sligo IT grounds yesterday.

Torrential rain and hail showers and a howling gale put a damper on the game; but the atrocious weather failed to dampen the spirits of two highly-motivated teams.

The Kerryman's two gilt-edged points in the first period of extra time won the day for the stout-hearted Munster men, whose "do or die" spirit eventually overwhelmed UUJ.

Derry's Paddy Bradley, who accounted for all but one of the UUJ scores, raised the first flag of the opening half after 60 seconds, and a James Donaghy point in the seventh minute and another Bradley special put the Jordanstown men in a commanding position.

UUJ had first use of the gale and their opponents were unable to set up any worthwhile attacking movements and remained scoreless in the half.

Bradley blasted the ball to the UCC net midway through the half to put more daylight between the teams.

UUJ were awarded a penalty five minutes from half time, but Bradley's well-struck kick was blocked by Cian Kelleher in the UCC goal.

Had the Derryman scored the game might have been put beyond the reach of the Cork college.

Bradley sent over a free on the stroke of half-time to give UUJ a 1-5 to 0-0 interval lead.

With the elements in their favour in the second half, the Cork side quickly set about rectifying the situation.

Four unanswered points by the impressive Conrad Murphy, who also had a goal-bound shot tipped out for a 45, reduced the deficit by half, 1-5 to 0-4, after 24 minutes.

UUJ were clinging on by the minimum when Sean O'Brien drilled a superb goal to the UUJ net in the 25th minute.

Martin O'Rourke steadied the UUJ ship with a 20th-minute point, but UCC battled back bravely and a late Conor McCarthy point forced the game into extra time.

Murphy put UCC in front for the first time in the game at the start of the first period of extra time; but the Polytechnic refused to throw in the towel and that man Bradley levelled the scores again from a free after 68 minutes.

A couple of marvellous points by Twiss put UCC 1-9 to 1-7 ahead at the interval.

UUJ tried desperately to win the game in the last period of extra time, but in spite of the gale at their backs were unable to break down a resolute UCC defence.

UCC: C Kelleher; E Wiseman, P Hanley, S Curran; P Galvin, A Lynch, D Reidy; K O'Keeffe, M O'Shea; T Kenny, C Murphy (0-5), S O'Brien (1-0); I Twiss (0-2), B Sheehan, C McCarthy (0-2). Sub: D Cahill for Twiss, Twiss for Cahill.

UUJ: R Gallagher; M Anderson, P O'Kane, B Shannon; K Doherty, A O'Rourke, J Gormley; F Doherty, F Loughnane; J Donaghy (0-1), S Kavanagh, J Toal; P Bradley (1-7), M O'Rourke, K Brady.

Referee: P McAneaney (Monaghan)