UCC 2-20
Na Piarsaigh 3-11
THE STUDENTS COMPLETED the last four line-up tonight in the Cork senior hurling title race, UCC claiming a grip on this clash in the second half and successfully holding off Na Piarsaigh.
Cork All-Ireland winner Tom Kenny watched his side pull clear by six at the final whistle and that was a merited position. The outcome propels them into a semi-final meeting with Blackrock. Itโs 21 years since the pair met in a decider with Blackrock running out convincing victors, a 2020 final spot is now the prize on offer.
A compressed schedule is customary for UCC players when they journey deep into the championship. Between Limerick hurling, Kerry football and Cork club games, six of their starting side had been in combat yesterday. Those players adapted though, Padraig Power shooting 1-4 after helping his club Blarney win a county quarter-final last night. Paddy OโLoughlin stood tall at the heart of defence after tasting disappointment in Limerick with Kilmallock.
The first half of this one was a wild and frantic affair with five goals registered as the momentum shifted regularly between the teams. UCC at times looked capable of accelerating clear, Power picking a spot in the bottom corner of the net after only 14 seconds. He shot 1-3 in the opening period while Kerryโs Shane Conway chipped in with 0-5 in that time frame.
Brian Kelleher smashed home a second UCC goal in the 10th minute, a rebound after a terrific block by Na Piarsaigh goalkeeper Luke Donovan to first deny Owen McCarthy.
Those scores may have rocked Na Piarsaigh but it did not deflate as they kept recovering in that opening period, sustained by a trio of goals that they notched. Shane Forde, a strong and forceful presence in their half-forward line, cut through the UCC defence for one while Padraig Guest showed his opportunism to score a brace.
One of those arrived after a mix-up in the UCC rearguard but netminder Dylan Desmond atoned for that with a brilliant reflex save to late deny Kevin Moynihan.
It was 2-11 to 3-7 in favour of UCC at the break but the highly enjoyable early fare was not replicated thereafter. Na Piarsaigh, who had only four scorers throughout, battled away with Christopher Joyce and Daire Connery prominent but UCC had a wider spread of influential figures.
Mark Coleman, OโLoughlin and David Lowney mopped up possession at the back, Conway was unerring from frees as he finished top scorer with 0-9 and they brought on Tipperary All-Ireland winner Mark Kehoe to good effect as he landed a brace of scores.
After knocking out the champions Imokilly, this was another productive Sunday evening display. A second semi-final appearance in three seasons awaits.
Scorers for UCC: Shane Conway 0-9 (0-7f), Padraig Power 1-4, Brian Kelleher 1-0, Mark Kehoe 0-2, Brian Verling, Mark Coleman (0-1f), James Keating, Shane Barrett, Eanna Desmond 0-1 each.
Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: Evan Sheehan 0-6 (0-4f), Padraig Guest 2-0, Shane Forde 1-1, Daire Connery 0-4 (0-2 โ65, 0-1f).
UCC
1. Dylan Desmond (รire รg โ Cork)
3. David Lowney (Clonakilty โ Cork)
4. David Griffin (Carrigaline โ Cork)
18. Killian OโDwyer (Killenaule โ Tipperary)
9. Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens โ Tipperary)
6. Paddy OโLoughlin (Kilmallock โ Limerick)
5. Mark Coleman (Blarney โ Cork)
7. James Keating (Kildorrery โ Cork)
12. Shane Barrett (Blarney โ Cork)
11. Shane Conway (Lixnaw โ Kerry)
10. Andrew Casey (Ballyduff Upper โ Waterford)
22. Eanna Desmond (Carrigaline โ Cork)
13. Brian Kelleher (Carrigaline โ Cork)
14. Padraig Power (Blarney โ Cork)
15. Owen McCarthy (Inniscarra โ Cork)
Subs
28. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash โ Tipperary) for Kelleher (half-time)
25. Denis McBarron (Carrigaline โ Cork) for Barrett (48)
19. Brian Verling (Cloughduv โ Cork) for McCarthy (55)
26. Karl Walsh (Ballincollig โ Cork) for Desmond (59)
Na Piarsaigh
1. Luke Donovan
2. Anthony Dennehy
3. Adam Dennehy
4. Cian Buckley (captain)
5. Gordon Joyce
6. Christopher Joyce
7. Daire Connery
8. Kelvin Forde
9. Greg Healy
12. Eoin Sheehan
11. Evan Sheehan
10. Shane Forde
15. Kevin Moynihan
14. Padraig Guest
13. Eoin Sheehan
Subs
20. Craig Hanifin for Gunning (29)
17. Keith Buckley for Kelvin Forde (half-time)
21. Dayne Lee for Healy (half-time)
18. Kyle Power for Moynihan (59)
Referee: David Copps (Ballyhea)
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Thatโs some half backline UCC have, intercounty standard! Maybe a bit light in the forwards with conway being the only standout name. But hopefully they will get a few more big names back from defeated clubs after this weekend.
Hope UCC win the cork championship, to highlight how crazy it is that they can compete.
@Gareth Ward: not a bad sub tipp senior mark kehoe
@Gareth Ward: โbut hopefully they will get a few big names backโ. Is that because they were playing with their clubs and not available tonight? Can you see how stupid your comment is when you look at it like that! UCC bring nothing to the Cork SHC. Amend the rules now so that students at the start of the season have to declare for their club or college. But canโt play with both. Letโs see how many Paddy Cadells /Paddy OโLoughlins they have then.
@Johnny B: Read my comment again and youโll understand son. That is exactly what i mean. As i said i do hope they win it to highlight how crazy it is that they can take part.
I donโt particularly care what they add to the cork championship, which is why i want them to win!
@Gareth Ward: apologies. Twas late when I read your comment (and was after a few pints). Didnโt read it properly. Apologies again.
@Johnny B: Apparently they can get back montgomery from from waterford. And bill sheehan from dicksboro can play as well when heโs available. Assuming mark kehoe will start in the next game, theyโll have quiet a strong forward unit built up then!