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Whirlwind start to the second half proves vital for UCC

FITZGIBBON CUP FINAL: UCC 2-17 UL 0-14: UCC WITHSTOOD a battling University of Limerick display to claim their 40th Ulster Bank…

Mon Mar 09 2009 - 00:00

FITZGIBBON CUP FINAL: UCC 2-17 UL 0-14:UCC WITHSTOOD a battling University of Limerick display to claim their 40th Ulster Bank Fitzgibbon Cup title and a first since 1998 following a keenly-contested final at Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

Both UCC goals came in a crucial five-minute spell with Kilkenny’s John Mulhall, who top-scored with 1-3, netting after just 27 seconds of the restart. Tadhg Óg Murphy followed up with a cracking goal less than five minutes later to open up a healthy 10-point gap.

But this game was far from one-way traffic throughout as UL matched their Cork counterparts well in the opening half, with the sides level on four occasions inside the opening 10 minutes.

Offaly duo Seán Kenny and Alan Egan, Matt Ruth and Seamus Hickey scored early points for UL.

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UCC’s main provider in the opening minutes was Tipperary’s Shane Burke with two scores.

Despite UL’s strong first-half wind assistance, UCC held a 0-10 to 0-6 interval lead, thanks to scores from Stephen Moylan and Mulhall (two) late in the opening half.

After UCC’s whirlwind start to the second half with the two goals, Offaly senior player Brian Carroll and UCC’s Michael Cahill traded points, before a 39th-minute Óg Murphy score ensured a 2-12 to 0-7 advantage for the Cork men.

UL battled back with a trio of scores from Gleeson, Matt Ruth and Carroll to cut the deficit to eight points, but UCC tagged on four unanswered points in as many minutes to edge into an emphatic 2-17 to 0-11 lead with seven minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, in the Ryan Cup Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, managed by Eamon Cregan and with current All-Star Shane McGrath of Tipperary on board, defeated UUJ 1-12 to 1-5 while St Mary’s Belfast took Fergal Maher Cup honours with a 3-14 to 2-16 victory over Napier University Edinburgh.

UCC:A Nash; S O'Neill, D McSweeney, C O'Sullivan; R Foley (0-1), J Jordan, K Harnett; B O'Sullivan (0-2), M Cahill (0-1); D Hanley (0-1), B Beckett, J Mulhall (1-3); S Moylan (0-4, two frees), S Burke (0-3)T Óg Murphy (1-1). Subs:E Martin (0-1)for Hanley (49 mins); D Browne for Cahill (56 mins); W Kearney for C O'Sullivan (57 mins); M Grace for O'Neill (59 mins); C O'Driscoll for S Burke (59 mins)

UL:P McCormack; B Fox, K Joyce, M Verney; JB McCarthy, T Stapleton (0-1, free), M Walsh; S Hickey (0-1), M Gleeson (0-2); S Ryan (0-1), R O'Dwyer, J Greene; B Carroll (0-3, one free), M Ruth (0-4), A Egan (0-1). Subs:N Ó Murchú for Hickey (24-26 BS); N Ó Murchú for Greene (36 mins); S O'Brien for Fox (38 mins); D Hayden for Stapleton (41 mins); D Burke (0-1) for O'Dwyer (51 mins); K Lannigan for A Egan (57 mins)

Referee:Barry Kelly (Westmeath).