UCC 1-12
Garda College 2-7
John Fallon reports from Templemore
KILLIAN SPILLANE WAS the hero for UCC when he blasted home an injury-time penalty to snatch a dramatic victory in this Sigerson Cup clash today.
Garda College looked set for a famous win when Jonathan Ryan edged them in front as the game slipped into stoppage time at the JK Brackens club grounds in Templemore.
But UCC, who played over half the match with 14 men after corner-forward Gary Murphy picked up a second yellow card, did not give up and were rewarded when Carlow referee John Hickey awarded a penalty after Spillane was fouled.
The Templenoe clubman, son of Kerry legend Tom, kept his composure and blasted the ball into the top right corner.
It was tough luck on a Garda College side who recovered from a slow start to draw level after seven minutes when Ryan drilled home a goal.
Points from Tommy McDaniel, Peter Kelleher and Darren Gallagher pushed Garda College clear before UCC rallied and two efforts from Spillane and one from Kevin Crowley levelled again.
The sides turned around deadlocked at 1-5 to 0-8 and after exchanging points, Garda College hit the front with a 46th penalty from Tommy McDaniel.
But Kerry’s Sean O’Shea continued his great week and the Kenmare man led the way as UCC clawed their way back, creating the opportunities which saw them level six minutes from as he found the range either side of points from Spillane and Stephen Sherlock.
Garda, who also finished with 14 men when Alan Gaughan was black-carded in the dying seconds with all six subs having been used, looked set for a quarter-final tie with NUIG when Ryan struck a superb score as the game slipped into stoppage time.
But in a final attack Spillane was fouled and then composed himself to slot home the winner with an expertly-taken penalty.
Scorers for UCC: Killian Spillane 1-3 (1-0 pen), Sean O’Shea 0-5 (0-2f), Gary Murphy, Jack Kennedy, Kevin Crowley, Stephen Sherlock 0-1 each.
Scorers for Garda College: Jonathan Ryan, Thomas McDaniel (1-0 pen) 1-2 each, Darren Gallagher, Peter Kelleher, Declan Meehan 0-1 each.
UCC
16. Micheal Martin (Nemo Rangers, Cork)
2. Fionnain Clifford (Waterville, Kerry)
3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue, Kerry)
30. Michael McSweeney (Newcestown, Cork)
6. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet, Cork)
21. Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers, Cork)
23. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig, Cork)
10. Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials, Tipperary)
17. Andrew Barry (Na Gaeil, Kerry)
4. Briain Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht, Kerry)
12. Sean O’Shea (Kenmare, Kerry)
7. Kevin Flahive (Douglas, Cork)
13. Gary Murphy (Castletownbere, Cork)
19. Cian Dorgan (Ballincollig, Cork)
18. Killian Spillane (Templenoe, Kerry)
Subs
22. Stephen Sherlock (St Finbarr’s, Cork) for Dorgan 50
26. Liam O’Donovan (Clonakilty, Cork) for Clifford 54
Garda College
1. Seamus Murphy (Templeglantine, Limerick)
2. Rory O’Connor (Galway)
3. Sean Gaul (St Anne’s, Wexford)
4. Kieran Histon (Cobh, Cork)
5. Killian Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks, Westmeath)
6. Tom Featherstone (Oran, Roscommon)
7. Paul Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks, Galway)
8. Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg, Clare)
9. Darren Gallagher (Granard, Longford)
23. Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay, Clare)
11. Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael, Cork)
12. Gary Rodgers (St Columba’s, Longford)
13. Jonathan Ryan (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway)
14. Declan Meehan (Cavan Gaels, Cavan)
15. Tommy McDaniel (Ballinagore, Westmeath)
Subs
10. Shane Cunningham (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin) for Cleary (38)
26. Alan Gaughan (Athlone, Westmeath) for Russell (44)
22. Eoghan Duffy (Louth) for Kelleher (48)
19. Shane Ryan (Clare) for Meehan (52)
17. James Morris (Arva, Cavan) for Featherstone (55)
24. Gene Casey (Kiskeam, Cork) for McDaniel (60)
Referee: John Hickey (Carlow)
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Cork are very poor ,,!!!
When I saw the Cork team on Friday night with only 3 city players I new mass was over for the rebels this is the worst team Cork ever brought to Thurles sad.
Some dire stuff from Cork so far. Aimless balls down the field. They’ll need to improve drastically in the second half or this will be a rout
Great to see the sweeper system being destroyed early on.
That’s one poor cork team Christ above going to get throttled here today.
Early test of both teams ambition for the season. Nothing like the clash of the ash to kick off the summer.
Only this year it is starting with a whimper. Today and last night’s game both brutal.
Dire stuff from the rebels
It’s tipps year :-)
Premature to come out with that comment.
Barry Kelly is a shit ref.
Game over cork keep playing into tips hands
Cork are 11/4 in the bookies. As a Cork man I’ll take that price all day, championship hurling in Thurles, anything can happen!! Rebels Abú!!!
Never bet on your own team
Just been a pitch invasion by the Tipp supporters at the final whistle in Thurles. Where are the horse mounted police? Greyhounds even.
Cork really poor. The score is actually flattering should be down by more. Hopefully it will be a closer second half
Tipp’s full forward line is going to take some stopping of we’re going to get a result. Can never write us off in championship though, Rebels abú.
Good to see kieran Kingstons chopping and changing of the teams went so well for cork. He must be so proud…
Lots of stuff happening off the ball, ruining the flow of the game.
Cork are a big of a joke alright.
And cork lads coming on here giving out is golden. Long may it last.
What’s the longest ye have gone without an AI lads? Big 3 me hole.
Switchin over to watch Rory win the golf
Great shot from Rory there
You’re missing the comeback, three quick goals for cork
Dubai golf classic? Sounds like the Tommy Murphy cup.
As a Cork man….very disappointed. …maybe it’s a cunning plan….use the back door route to develop the team. .. ya right …will wake up from that dream soon..and come back to reality…
I never thought I would see the day when Cork hurling would hit such a low point even Kerry are putting in more professional performances.
No point having millions in the bank and no talent coming forward.
The OAP’S in county board.
we’ll need I say anymore!!!!!