UCC one step away from final

UCC hope to go one step further tonight than they did last year when they were beaten at the semi-finals stage of the European Students' Cup. Making their exit against Toulouse, who went on to win the inaugural 1998 competition, UCC are confident they have the team to make this year's final as they prepare to meet Shropshire side Harpers-Adam.

The home side go into the game at the Mardyke this evening (7.0) without two regulars, number eight David Lane and inside centre Ronan O'Donovan, both of whom were injured in their All Ireland League match two weeks ago against City of Derry.

Some rejigging of positions means that Tim Cahill comes in at number eight and Brian Cahill moves to the blind side while Mick O'Riordan comes into the second row. Good news is that Captain Aidan O'Shea returns from a spell on the bench with a broken nose. He moves to the inside centre berth.

Coach Peter Melia can expect to face a limited game from the English agricultural college team who have played a forward-dominated style.

Although the team is not yet known, Harpers-Adam have six Irish players in the squad, four of them from Cork, including their captain Trevor Powell, who plays for English club side Moseley.

Although without two regulars, coach Peter Melia will field a stronger UCC side than the one which despatched Northumbria. On that occasion a total of seven players were either being rested or were injured.

"Once you know the script it's easier second time around," said Melia. "While we are confident going into this semi-final, we aren't dismissive of the opposition. But the lads have played knock-out all through school so this won't be anything particularly new to them. We actually expect a bigger crowd than last time becuse the time makes it easier for people coming from work," he said.

The student final, scheduled for January 30th, has not yet been decided, although if UCC win today there is a strong possibility it will take place in Dublin, probably before Ulster's European Cup final match against Colomiers. Donnybrook has been mentioned as a possible venue.