UCD look for brighter start

This evening's Fitzgibbon Cup final replay (Nenagh, 5.30) is a game both UCD and UCC feel they can still win. The drawn encounter last Friday week saw each college have their chance, with UCC most pressing in regular time and then UCD in extra-time.

On that occasion UCD were slow to settle. "I'd prefer to say we were comatose in the first half," says UCD manager Dave Billing, "and we were chasing the game after that. Of course replays always have a habit of being very different but the standard was very high the last day and that's one thing we hope to see again."

Stephen Lucy is the only dual player with UCD and he is carrying a minor leg injury from last week's Sigerson Cup final defeat to the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. Brendan Murphy is also doubtful after picking up an injury with Offaly last weekend, but midfielder Gary Mernagh - who also acts as team coach - is set to start.

The Cork students produced the more balanced attack in the first meeting, especially through fullforwards John Murphy and John Kingston. With an injury-free panel, they will again start as marginal favourites.