Having earned a draw with an injury-time point last week, Cork champions UCC made no mistake at the second attempt in the Munster club semi-final replay at Dungarvan on Saturday.
The college side laid the foundations for victory in the opening half at the end of which they held a one-point lead - 0-5 to 0-4 - despite having played against a strong wind. Rathgormack were to rue their failure to convert five scoreable frees and two goal-scoring opportunities in that opening half.
Inspirational UCC captain Micheal O Croinin, who missed the drawn game due to club commitments, led by example when he converted two frees in a nineminute period at the start of the second half.
The Cork side led by double scores at the end of the third quarter and further points from Micheal O Se, Liam Murphy and Eamonn Fitzmaurice in a five-minute spell saw them safely through to a provincial final against title holders Doonbeg next weekend.
UCC: A Quirke; C Breathnach, S MactSithigh, F Kelleher; P Galvin, E Fitzmaurice (0-1), D Reidy; G Stack, M O Se (02); L Murphy (0-2), M Croinin (0-3), P Moran; M D Cahill (0-1), B Sheehan, I Twiss (0-2). Subs: E Hanrahan for Sheehan, S Downey (0-1) for Moran.
RATHGORMACK: P Fahy; K Power, J Crotty, V O'Shea; D Crotty (0-1), N Murray, D Hassett; R Power, T Bolger (0-1); E Hogan, M Power (0-4), J Murray (0-1); P Crotty, V Murray, F Halpin. Subs: A Power for Vincent Murray, G Power for Bolger.
Referee: P Russell (Tipperary).
