UCC 1-23 UCD 2-13:HOSTS UCC will be involved in the finals weekend of the Fitzgibbon Cup after they finished strongly to see off UCD at Cork's Mardyke yesterday afternoon.

Inspired by Tipperary player Shane Bourke, UCC outscored their opponents by 1-10 to 0-3 in the final 27 minutes of this contest as their half-back line got on top and UCD’s attack failed to enjoy the success it had had in the first half.

The visitors led by 2-8 to 0-13 after a wonderful first half, the first goal from Walter Walsh coming in the 17th minute when he rounded off a good move to put his side 1-6 to 0-7 ahead and then, after Bourke and Séamus Harnedy had put UCC back in front, Liam Rushe struck just before half-time.

Points from Noel McGrath and Conor Allis pushed UCD further clear early in the second half but UCC took over after that, with Cork senior William Egan outstanding at left half back, while Pádraic Mahony also began to make his presence felt.

Three in a row from him levelled at 0-16 to 2-10 and while Rushe put UCD back in front, it was the last time they led. An excellent finish from a tight angle in the 49th minute by Bourke was the key to UCC taking victory, with later points from Mahony and sub Brian O’Sullivan giving them a seven-point final winning margin.

UCC: D McCarthy; S Maher, J O’Callaghan, K Murphy; J Barry, D Fives, W Egan; Philip Mahoney, B Murray; S Harnedy (0-2), D McCormack (0-1), Pádraic Mahony (0-7, 0-5 frees, 65); S Moylan (0-1), S Bourke (1-6), W Griffin (0-3, two frees). Subs: D Brosnan (0-1) for McCormack, B Hartnett for Griffin (both 39 mins), B O’Sullivan (0-2) for Harnedy (57 mins), S Corry for Murray (60 mins).

UCD: J Ryan; D Nash, M O’Halloran, O Gough; J Lyng, C Allis (0-1), S Norton; J Gannon, N McGrath (0-5); J Gilligan (0-1), D Fox, G Sinnott (0-1); W Walsh (1-2), L Rushe (1-1), D Plunkett (0-1). Subs: K O’Loughlin for Plunkett (41 mins), D O’Sullivan for Gannon (50 mins), C Kenny (0-1) for Gilligan (56 mins).

Referee: A Kelly (Galway).