SIGERSON CUP QUARTER-FINALS: UCC 1-12 DCU 0-14:AN INSPIRED UCC stunned the holders yesterday at Belfield.
Even though DCU were without injured trio David Kelly, Donie Shine and Brian Cullen, they were still the tournament favourites and expected to have too much for the Cork men.
But with legendary Cork trainer Billy Morgan masterminding their affairs, his UCC team paid no respect to their opponent’s reputation and shaded a gripping battle with a defiant display of footballing heroics.
Two magnificent early points from DCU’s Donegal star Michael Murphy seemed to set an ominous tone.
But a dogged UCC never allowed a gap to open up.
And through inside forwards Barry O’Driscoll, from Nemo Rangers, and Dáithí Casey, from Dr Crokes, UCC had impressive finishing class of their own.
DCU dominated the possession in the first half – but failed to make it count. On several occasions they carved openings with strong runners from deep, but the final ball let them down.
In the 11th minute Chris McGuinness missed a clear goal chance. A minute later DCU’s Dublin star Paul Flynn spilled the ball just as he was ready to unleash a close-range crack at goal.
Inspired by this let-off, and with Eoin O’Mahony getting to grips with the Michael Murphy threat, UCC settled and began to express themselves. And with Casey kicking great scores under pressure they were well worth their 0-7 to 0-6 interval lead.
The decisive score came in the 52 minute when Barry O’Driscoll set up JB Spillane to crash to the net for UCC.
The score stunned Niall Moyna’s men and they laid siege to the UCC goal, but a flicked-on effort from Cavan’s Michael Lyng came back off the butt of the post and an effort from Dublin’s Paddy Andrews also hit the woodwork.
Although entrenched in defence UCC never lost their way and not for the first time they had Casey to thank for a vital contribution when they needed to relieve the pressure.
DCU came looking for a point to force extra time, but a well-disciplined defence shepherded them into cul de sacs to ensure a famous and well-deserved victory that puts them through to face UCD today in the semi-finals.
UCC: K O'Halloran; P Crowley, E O'Mahony, J O'Sullivan; S Kelly, A Greaney, B Daly; W Kennedy, J Fitzpatrick (0-2); K O'Driscoll, M Collins, JB Spillane (1-0); B O'Driscoll (0-3, 1f, 145), D Casey (0-4, 1f), S O'Brien (0-1). Subs: J Buckley (0-1) for Kennedy (24 mins), N Daly for Greaney (inj, 53mins), M Griffin (0-1) for O'Brien (55 mins), D Nation for Fitzpatrick (60 mins).
DCU: R Hennelly; P McMahon, K Gavin, S Ormsby; J McCarthy (0-1), K Nolan (0-1), C Begley (0-2); M McElhinney, N McAdam; C Cregg, M Lyng (0-4, 4f), P Flynn; P Andrews, M Murphy (0-5, 3f), C McGuinness (0-1). Subs: A McFadden for Cregg (36 mins), C Rafferty for Flynn (39 mins), F O'Shea for McAdam (53 mins).
Referee: C Reynolds (Down).
Next Up . . .
In today’s Sigerson Cup semi-finals at Belfield, NUI Maynooth will meet UUJ at 2pm, while UCD play UCC at 3.30pm.
