Cork Premier SHC: Muskerry have too much firepower for UCC

Irish Examiner

a day ago

Cork Premier SHC Divisions/Colleges semi-final: Muskerry 4-15 UCC 0-21
Muskerry had too much firepower for UCC in a low-key Co Op Superstores Divisions/Colleges Senior hurling championship semi-final at Riverstown on Sunday.
The winners led by the inspirational Aghabullogue talisman Matthew Bradley who finished the evening with a 1-9 tally had too much pace and firepower for the students' defence.
UCC have been competitive in the Cork senior hurling championship for many years and won the title in 1963 and 1970. Coincidentally, the last time they won the championship in 1970 they defeated Muskerry 2-12 to 0-15 in a game that was played at the old Athletic Grounds.
It was the first time that Muskerry competed in the Cork final and they were denied the elusive double as they won the football equivalent in that year.
Over the years the Cork college have had notable players like Joe Deane, James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, Ray Cummins, Nicky English and Tommy Walsh don the jersey.
The also have 43 Fitzgibbon titles at university level but in recent years they have struggled to make an impression in the top tier of Cork hurling.
It only took Muskerry 30 seconds to open proceedings courtesy of a classy James Foley point.
The students were soon back on parity, but they were stunned into submission in the third minute with a superb Muskerry goal.
Colm O'Callaghan gathered the ball 40 yards from goal as he showed incredible pace before unleashing an unstoppable shot to the corner of the net.
UCC looked useful going forward and three consecutive points brought the minimum between the teams in the 12th minute.
Credit to Muskerry, they responded in style and once again it was O'Callaghan who showed tremendous pace and craft to assist a pinpoint pass to James Lane who placed the ball to the empty net.
At times UCC played some free-flowing hurling but they lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.
The college half-forward Mark Mahony from the Waterford club An Rinn had a great goal opportunity but he placed his shot to the side netting.
In truth Muskerry forwards were moving far quicker as the UCC defence were struggling to restrict them.
In the closing minutes Bradley and O'Callaghan continued to cause the students' defence havoc with their movement and it was no surprise the divisional side went in at the break commanding a seven-point lead - 2-10 to 0-9.
UCC, helped by some classy play from Fionn Desmond, gave themselves a lift as he drilled over consecutive points and was unlucky not to raise a green flag but his goal attempt was superbly saved by the Muskerry keeper.
On the rare occasion UCC threatened a mini-revival, Muskerry responded in style and two more goals from James Foley and Bradley well and truly killed off the tame students' challenge.
Scorers for Muskerry: M Bradley 1-9 (0-6f), C O'Callaghan 1-4, J Lane 1-1, J Foley 1-0, S Tarrant 0-1.
Scorers for UCC: A O'Sullivan 0-9 (0-8f),M Mahony 0-5, E Coughlan 0-3, F Desmond 0-2, M Murphy, S Daly (0-1 each).
MUSKERRY: J Walsh (Grenagh); P O'Sullivan (Aghabullogue), C Timmons (Aghabullogue), R Honohan (Donoughmore); M Brady (Éire Óg), C McGoldrick (Éire Óg), W Aherne (Cloughduv); S Tarrant (Aghabullogue), M O'Connell (Dripsey); S Joyce (Grenagh), J Foley (Aghabullogue), C O'Callaghan (Éire Óg); M Bradley (Aghabullogue), J Lane (Aghabullogue), D Twomey (Grenagh).
Subs: O O'Shea (Éire Óg) for S Joyce (37), K Murphy (Ballinora) for D Twomey (37), T Twomey (Grenagh) for C Timmons (48), A Dinan (Donoughmore) for C O'Callaghan (58).
UCC: F O'Brien (Bruree); R Quinlan (Whites Cross), K Lyon (Ballygarvan), J Byrne (Ballinora); D Scully (Dromina Athlaca), E Guinane (Valley Rovers), S Murnane (St Colum's); S Daly (Randal Og), F Desmond (Ballymartle); T Hourigan (Pallasgreen), A O'Sullivan (Ballinhassig), M Mahony (An Rinn); J Murray (Youghal), E Coughlan (Whites Cross), M Murphy (Kinsale).
Subs: C O'Mahony (Ballygunner) for J Murray ((37), D Mulholland (Rower-Inistogue) for M Murphy (40), E Fogarty (Thurles Sars) for M Mahony (50), J Doyle (Bennetsbridge) for D Scully (50).
Referee: Ian McCarthy (Bandon).