Resolute UCC hosted a semifinal meeting with Blackrock

Cork Premier SHC Quarterfinals: UCC 2-20 Pears 3-11

UCC advanced to the semi-finals of the Co-op SuperStores Cork Premier SHC after negotiating a sometimes difficult meeting with Na Piarsaigh at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday night.

Six points ahead in three minutes, the College found themselves trailing after ten, and although they were one point ahead at the break, the game was tied by Na Piarsaigh’s Daire Connery at the restart.

However, three points in a row, two from Shane Conway and one from Mark Coleman, put UCC in a lead they would hold for the rest, sending them into a quarterfinal meeting with Blackrock.

UCC coach Tom Kenny was impressed with the way his team improved in the second half.

“Na Piarsaigh is a traditional club with a fierce fight and when we got ahead they came back well and really helped us for the rest of the first half,” he said.

“In the Imokilly game, when we dropped a few points in the last five minutes, the guys thought and got the three or four points, and today it was very similar in the second half.

“We started dominating the mid-back line, dominating the midfield and that gave us a springboard for the rest of the game.”

UCC couldn’t have wished for a better start, with Pádraig Power scoring a goal in the 14th minute when Owen McCarthy broke Shane Barrett’s delivery. James Keating, Barrett and Conway added points to put them in a strong position and although Evan Sheehan opened the Piarsaigh account, Éanna Desmond made it 1-4 to 0-1 for the students.

However, Na Piarsaigh persevered and a free Sheehan was followed by a couple of quick goals. First, Kevin Moynihan forced a fumble and fed Pádraig Guest who shot home, and then Daire Connery’s delivery was the catalyst for a good run from Shane Forde and a shot to the net.

That put them 2-2 to 1-4 up front, but the College got ahead again thanks to Brian Kelleher’s goal after Luke Donovan stopped Owen McCarthy’s shot.

UCC led 2-5-2-3 at halftime for water and Power and Conway (two) helped them open a five-point lead before Na Piarsaigh scored his third goal as Guest dispossessed goalkeeper Dylan Desmond and seized. got into home.

Power’s third point gave UCC an instant response to put it 2-9 at 3-3, but Na Piasaigh found some momentum as Daire Connery’s 65 was followed by Evan Sheehan’s fourth point before Shane Forde will steal a puckout from UCC and level.

They almost have a fourth goal, but Kevin Moynihan’s shot was brilliantly stopped by Desmond. As Connery sent the resulting 65 to lead, UCC had two free runs from Conway to ensure they held the lead at halftime, 2-11 to 3-7.

Connery tied things again with his third point at the restart, but UCC hit a cushion when a pair of free-kicks from Conway sandwiched a long-range Mark Coleman effort. Although Sheehan responded with a free kick, it would be Na Piarsaigh’s last scoring until the 59th minute and Power, Conway and backup Mark Kehoe helped UCC open the light of day between the middle teams.

With no more scoring opportunities allowed by the UCC, they felt comfortable in the end, allowing them to stage another game of the 1999 final against the Rockies.

Scorers for UCC: S Conway (0-9, 7 free); Power P (1-4); B Kelleher (1-0); M Kehoe (0-2); M Coleman (free), J Keating, S Barrett, É Desmond, B Verling (0-1 each).

The Pears scorers: Evan Sheehan (0-6, 4 free); Guest P (2-0); D Connery (0-4, 2 65, 1 free); S Forde (1-1).

UCC (cork clubs unless noted): D Desmond (Éire Óg); D Lowney (Clonakilty), D Griffin (Carrigaline), K O’Dwyer (Killenaule, Tipperary); P. Cadell (JK Brackens, Tipperary), P. O’Loughlin (Kilmallock, Limerick), M. Coleman (Blarney); J Keating (Kildorrery), S Barrett (Blarney); S Conway (Lixnaw, Kerry), A Casey (Ballyduff Upper, Waterford), É Desmond (Carrigaline); B Kelleher (Carrigaline), P Power (Blarney), O McCarthy (Inniscarra).

Subs: M Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Tipperary) for Kelleher (half time), D McBarron (Carrigaline) for Barrett (48), B Verling (Cloughduv) for McCarthy (56), K Walsh (Ballincollig) for É Desmond (60), K O’Leary (Castlelyons) for Walsh (60, injured).

THE DOGS: L Donovan; Anthony Dennehy, Adam Dennehy, C Buckley; D Connery, C Joyce, G Joyce; K Forde, G Healy; Eoin Sheehan, Evan Sheehan, S Forde; D Gunning, P Guest, K Moynihan.

Subs: C Hanifin for Gunning (30), K Buckley for K Forde, D Lee for Healy (both at half time), K Power for Moynihan (60).

Referee: D Copps (Ballyhea).