UCD 2-12
UCC 0-13
Denis Hurley reports from the Mardyke
GOALS, ONE in each half, ultimately were the deciding factor as UCD put themselves in a commanding position in Group A of the Fitzgibbon Cup at the Mardyke in Cork today.
Having trailed by 0-4 to 0-2 and then 0-7 to 0-5 as half-time approached, despite having the slight benefit of the crosswind, UCD finished the first period excellently.
Oisín O’Rorke’s third converted free cut the gap to a point and then the full-forward finished well to the net after Ross King’s lovely handpass gave him space.
Another free in injury time from O’Rourke left the visitors – managed by UCC and Tipperary legend Nicky English – 1-7 to 0-7 in front at the interval and King’s second point of the game opened up a four-point lead.
UCC, who have won the competition more than anyone else, looked like they were launching a powerful fightback as their best forward, Alan Cadogan, got two points in quick succession before DJ Foran sent a fine effort over the bar.
While another O’Rorke free was answered by Michael Breen for UCC, they wouldn’t be able to draw level at any stage and UCD struck a definitive blow just before the three-quarter mark.
Wing-forward James Maher was the architect, stealing possession before embarking on a mazy run to give himself sight of goal.
While UCC goalkeeper Keith Hogan saved his effort, Colm Cronin was following up to strike to the roof of the net.
When James Maher added another point for UCD, there were five points between the teams.
Rob O’Shea got his fourth free for UCC and Cadogan his fifth from play, but a goal was needed and the best chance, which fell to Foran, hit the side-netting in injury time before O’Rorke scored two more late frees to make sure of the win for UCD.
Another win, against Limerick IT next week will secure them a quarter-final place while UCC must beat Maynooth University to keep their hopes of qualification alive.
Scorers for UCD: Oisín O’Rorke 1-7 (0-7 frees), Colm Cronin 1-0, Ross King, James Maher 0-2 each, Cian O’Callaghan 0-1.
Scorers for UCC: Alan Cadogan 0-5, Rob O’Shea (0-3 frees) 0-4, Michael Breen 0-2, DJ Foran, John Power 0-1 each.
UCD
1. Darragh Holohan (Dicksboro, Kilkenny)
2. Pat Hannon (St Mary’s Athenry, Galway)
3. Sean Murphy (Buffers Alley, Wexford)
5. James Madden (Ballyboden St Enda’s, Dublin)
8. Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels, Kilkenny)
7. Conor O’Shea (Clara, Kilkenny)
9. Seán Moran (Cuala, Dublin)
4. Eoin Conroy (Naomh Éanna, Wexford)
6. Cian O’Callaghan (Cuala, Dublin)
10. James Maher (St Lachtain’s, Kilkenny)
12. Colm Cronin (Cuala, Dublin)
15. Jack O’Connor (St Martin’s, Wexford)
13. Ross King (Rathdowney-Errill, Laois)
14. Oisín O’Rorke (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin)
11. Ciarán Prendergast (Clara, Kilkenny)
Subs
19. Pádraic Guinan (Drumcullen, Offaly) for Moran (40)
25. Tom Phelan (Conahy Shamrocks, Kilkenny) for Prendergast (54, injured)
UCC
1. Keith Hogan (Clooney/Quin, Clare)
2. Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater, Waterford)
3. Dan Morrissey (Ahane, Limerick)
4. Shane Roche (Shamrocks, Waterford)
7. Rickard Cahalane (Ballymartle, Cork)
6. Colm Spillane (Castlelyons, Cork)
5. Gavin O’Brien (Roanmore, Waterford)
8. Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater, Waterford)
9. Mark O’Brien (Ferrybank, Waterford)
12. Rob O’Shea (Carrigaline, Cork)
11. Michael Breen (Ballina, Tipperary)
10. Niall McCarthy (Carrigtwohill, Cork)
13. Alan Cadogan (Douglas, Cork)
14. DJ Foran (Portlaw, Waterford)
15. John Power (Carrickshock, Kilkenny)
Subs
17. Cormac Murphy (Mallow, Cork) for Spillane (7, injured)
19. Tom Devine (Modeligo, Waterford) for Mark O’Brien (30)
21. Niall Cashman (Blackrock, Cork) for Gavin O’Brien (37)
25. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg Ennis, Clare) for McCarthy (45)
18. Barry Lawton (Castlemartyr, Cork) for Power (53)
Referee: Gavin Quilty (Clare).
COYBIB
Such a joy to watch ulster this week compared to Munster. So much variety in their play. Mathewson sniping, passing, kicking. Forwards carrying with impact but also offloading when appropriate. Much more effective. Hume and McCloskey look great in the centre.
Let’s go Leinster!! Big day out for Ringrose
@gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career
Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game
Looking forward to a good game and hopefully no injuries for both sides for next week. . Super selection from Leinster and what a bench. Leinster by 10+ for me.
Leinster will win
I see Van Der Flier is Liam Tolands man crush this week
He’s a gas man. Giving Stockdale grief for crawling with the ball. But sure it was perfectly fine when a Leinster player did it to score against Munster.
Half time and the leinster lineout is easily the worst in professional rugby.
@Chris Mc: I think we need to end the hype that’s been surrounding Kelleher right now. Cronin is a better lineout thrower and that’s saying something!
@David Finn: his throwing is pants but he’s a massive present arround the pitch
@Chris Mc: yeah good around the pitch but on that performance about Irish no 4. He needs time.
@Trevor Johnston: the leinster lineout has been too complicated for a good few seasons now. Far too many moving parts. Most of the balls lost yesterday came without any real presure from Ulster, lifters missed the jumper, some times the jumper didn’t even jump. A lineout should be very simple, your jumper gets into the air before theirs or get higher than theirs. Your hooker throws the ball to the big guy been lifted by 2 other big guys. All the dummies, moving arround and decoys just allows the line to close and the lifters to be obstructed or miss their position or timing.
Game on great try
It’s good to see Ulster taking a leaf out of the Leinster playbook. Holding opposition players in nearly every ruck and starting to milk some penalties.
Another trophy the invincibles
Leinster Congratulations
People effuse about this morphing Leinster game plan, kicking on their terms and their love for defending but Ulster have been playing the better rugby for the majority of the game. I know Leinster are still winning but as a Leinster fan I expected a good bit more from Leinster tonight in preparation for Saracens. Doris has been quiet, Conan was petulant in the first half and it is not a day for Kelleher at line-out time. There have been moments when Leinster have shown good running rugby but the last phase fizzles out with an attacking penalty or picking the wrong option. We’ll need a better performance against Saracens, even without Farrell and Mako.
@Dan Finlay: and moments after posting Doris goes and scores.
@Dan Finlay: Conan coughed up three penalties. Can not afford that against saracens.
Atrocious lineout from Leinster.
Great response.
Brilliant try.
Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!
Would be grand if Brace actually reffed Leinster. Let’s them away with murder at the breakdown
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair
Here he comes. The Boss.
Great try …..game over ..joking
Anyone know if tg4 are showing this live or is it just discussions about the game starting at that time and the kick off being shown later on?
@Rudiger McMonihan: I’m pretty sure it’s live
Ulster happy to be in final, same as Heineken cup a few years back they failed to throw a punch… embarrassing
@Nathan Fulham: you can only play as well as you are allowed. Leinster in total control.
SUFTUM
Terrible commentators