Duhallow dig deep to secure final spot overcoming UCC in Cork Premier SFC semi-final
A strong second half showing from Duhallow was enough to get the better of UCC in the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier SFC Divisional/Colleges semi-final at Mallow on Thursday evening.
Ger O'Sullivan's side had to dig deep in this one as they will now meet either Muskerry or Carbery in the final with a place in the championship proper the reward for the winners.
They trailed by two points at half-time in what was an end-to-end game before the divisional outfit came good to prevail. Their strong opening to the second half proving key. They were driven on by Cork senior footballer Luke Murphy who scored 1-7, with all but one coming from play.
UCC were depleted but they must be praised for playing their part in this contest. They battled gamely throughout and represented the famous jersey well.
Duhallow started positively, landing the first three points inside seven minutes through Luke Murphy, Donncha O'Connor and Séamus Hickey. They also could have got a goal in that time but Jack Curtin wasn't able to generate enough power to beat UCC goalkeeper James Hoare.
UCC were well in the game. They put together two unanswered points from James Horgan and Emmet Daly.
Duhallow looked to have taken a firm grip when they scored 1-1 without reply in a minute. Curtin with the point while Luke Murphy raised a green flag after being set up by Hickey, 1-4 to 0-2 after 17 minutes.
The sides traded points before the teams were level when UCC hit 1-2. Horgan with an easy finish to the back of the net, but it was made by Cathail O'Mahony.
With five minutes to the break, it was all to play for, Duhallow once more put 1-1 together and looked to be primed to push on. Curtin with a tidy finish to the corner of the net, 2-6 to 1-5.
UCC finished the half brilliantly though, O'Mahony landed a two-point free followed by a Tomás Hannifin point before Daly billowed the back of the net. The college 2-8 to 2-6 ahead at half-time.
Duhallow used all their experience and quality in the new half. O'Sullivan's charges effectively put the game beyond their opposition with a devastating opening 10 minutes to the second half.
The eventual winners scored 2-5 during that time while UCC only managed a point. O'Connor and Curtin with the goals while Conor O'Callaghan's point was a highlight, 4-11 to 2-9.
UCC never gave up though and a Michael Murphy goal did give them hope with 18 minutes remaining, but Duhallow were in their groove now, tacking on four points on the trot. Luke Murphy with two, one which was a free, and efforts from Seán Meehan and sub Ciarán Curtin.
The sides exchanged points before an O'Mahony two-pointer from a difficult angle was probably the score of the game, but it was a consolation, 4-16 to 3-12 after 57 minutes.
Hickey and Luke Murphy rounded off the scoring for Duhallow before a goal right at the end from sub Fionn O'Sullivan did make the scoreline respectable for a gallant UCC side.
Scorers for Duhallow: L Murphy (1-7, 0-1 f), J Curtin (2-1), D O'Connor (1-2), S Hickey (0-3), S Meehan, C O'Callaghan, D Linehan, C Curtin, L Moynihan (0-1 each).
Scorers for UCC: C O'Mahony (0-5, 1 2pt f, 1 2pt, 0-1 45), E Daly (1-2), J Horgan (1-1), M Murphy, F O'Sullivan (1-0 each), F O'Brien (0-2), T Hannifin, S Aherne (0-1 each).
DUHALLOW: F O'Connor (Cullen); K Crowley (Millstreet), S Meehan (Kiskeam), D Buckley (Boherbue); K Cremin (Boherbue), J O'Connor (Kiskeam), C Murphy (Castlemagner); C Walsh (Cullen), S Hickey (Rockchapel); T Casey (Kiskeam), C O'Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), J Curtin (Rockchapel); D O'Connor (Ballydesmond), D Linehan (Castlemagner), L Murphy (Cullen).
Subs: J Murphy (Dromtarriffe) for C Walsh, L Moynihan (Boherbue) for J O'Connor (both h-t), C Curtin (Rockchapel) for C Murphy (36), E Murphy (Rockchapel) for D Linehan (53).
UCC (Cork unless stated): J Hoare (Dingle, Kerry); C Hannon (St Joseph's Barefield, Clare), R Bourke (Castleisland Desmonds, Kerry), D Murray (Glanmire); F Desmond (Ballymartle), D Phelan (Aghada), N Davis (Ballinora); T O'Sullivan (Kenmare Shamrocks, Kerry), T Hannifin (Na Gaeil, Kerry); J Horgan (Firies, Kerry), E Daly (Valentia, Kerry), F O'Brien (St Pat's Blennerville, Kerry); A Crowley (Templenoe, Kerry), C O'Mahony (Mitchelstown), S Aherne (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin).
Subs: M Murphy (Kinsale) for S Aherne (36), F O'Sullivan (Glenbeigh-Glencar, Kerry) for T O'Sullivan (41), S Whelan (Carrig na bhFear) for R Bourke (53), C Doody (Scartaglen, Kerry) for J Horgan (55), C Reidy (St Colum's) for N Davis (56).
Referee: R Whelan (Gleann na Laoi).
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