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UCC 2-20 Pears 3-11
FAVORITES UCC booked their place in the Co-op SuperStores Cork Premier SHC semi-final with a win over Na Piarsaigh in Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday night, but not without a tough test from their city opponents.
Leading 1-4 to 0-1 after eight minutes, the College fell behind as Piarsaigh scored a pair of quick goals and the teams were tied early in the second half before the victors walked away to win by six points. .
The UCC started off brilliantly, with Shane Barrett’s delivery interrupted by Owen McCarthy, allowing Pádraig Power to score in 14 seconds and points from James Keating, Shane Barrett and Shane Conway put them 1-3 to 0-0 ahead. in three minutes.
While Evan Sheehan’s first goal for Na Piarsaigh was answered by UCC’s Éanna Desmond, the city team found some momentum when free Sheehan was followed by a goal in the ninth minute from Pádraig Guest, triggered by a loss of Kevin Moynihan.
Moments later, they were up front when Daire Connery’s ball allowed Shane Forde to run into the UCC defense before shooting home. The advantage was fleeting, however, as College took the lead with a goal from Brian Kelleher after Luke Donovan stopped Owen McCarthy’s shot.
At the water break, it was 2-5 to 2-3 for the Students and they got three points in a row, from Power and Conway (two) just to allow Piarsaigh some hope again. There seemed little danger when UCC center-back Paddy O’Loughlin sent a pass back to goalie Dylan Desmond, but Guest dispossessed him, who cleverly finished off the net.
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 teams.
In the end, they had six to spare, advancing to face Blackrock in the semi-finals.
Scorers for UCC: S Conway 0-9 (0-7 f), P Power 1-4, B Kelleher 1-0, M Kehoe 0-2, M Coleman (f), J Keating, S Barrett, É Desmond, B Verling 0-1 each.
Na Piarsaigh scorers: Evan Sheehan 0-6 (0-4 f), P Guest 2-0, D Connery 0-4 (0-2 65, 0-1 f), 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).
NA PIARSAIGH: 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 halftime), K Power for Moynihan (60).
Referee: D Copps (Ballyhea).
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