UCD stall in sight of victory

It would have been too bizarre for the Fitzgibbon Cup final to pass off without an honest contest. Although it seemed destined that way for a while, yesterday's Dublin-Cork confrontation at Parnell Park gradually gained momentum and soon had the pulse racing. Even then, a breakneck period of extra-time failed to separate the sides.

Neither UCC nor UCD can have too many complaints about the result. Both of them had their chance to win and yet neither had the necessary mettle to make it count. After controlling the bulk of standard time, UCC couldn't stall their opponents' late flourish. After maintaining that momentum into added time, UCD couldn't build a winning margin.

So, it's another date next Wednesday, at a venue to be confirmed, but most likely in Tipperary. Yet it is difficult to know who will have learnt more about the opposition. UCD will certainly be looking for a better start next time out. They were down 0-5 to no score after an opening quarter hour dominated by the Cork students, and especially the accuracy of corner forward John Murphy. Then, on 16 minutes, Pat Fitzgerald first signalled his stunning form with the placed ball and opened UCD's scoring.

Still, all the pressure was on the UCD defence, who held up most impressively through Robbie Kirwan and Colm Everard. Murphy and John Kingston managed further points and UCC deservedly led 0-8 to 0-4 at the break.

As the tempo increased, so did UCD's determination. Their hearts seemed to grow as Brendan Murphy and Redmond Barry, previously anonymous, closed the gap to two. As the clock ran out, a goal would have destroyed either side.

UCC came closest inside the last five minutes only for Kirwan to help clear a succession of shots from Kingston and Donnacha Sheehan off the line. Brendan Murphy had his chance at the other end. Another razor-sharp free from Fitzgerald closed the gap to the minimum and UCD suddenly looked like potential winners. Richie O'Neill then overcarried a UCC clearance from the goal and Fitzgerald was handed the equalising chance. The final minute and it wasn't easy, but he made it look that way.

Almost immediately after changing ends for extra-time, Fitzgerald put UCD in front for the first time. From then on, there was little between them.

UCC would have claimed a certain goal only for some awesome goalkeeping from Matty White. Instead, a couple of points exchanged at either end left it 0-14 each with the final quarter hour to go. Kingston then put UCC briefly back in front before Paddy O'Brien fittingly restored the equilibrium.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN: M White; B Walton, D O'Connor, R Kirwan; H Flannery, D Hegarty (0-1), C Everard; T Murphy (0-1), S Lucy; P Fitzgerald (0-9, eight frees), M Bergin, R Barry (0-1); B Murphy (0-1), J Culkin, P Tennyson. Subs: H Gannon (0-1) for T Murphy (half-time); P O'Brien (0-1) for Bergin (37 mins); S O'Neill for Kirwan (57 mins); A Power for Barry (79 mins).

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, CORK: R O'Neill; J Browne, J Crowley, A Kirwan; T Kenny, R Flannery (0-1, a 65), R O'Doherty; E Murphy, C Morrissey; M O'Connor (0-1), S Fitzpatrick, B Phelan; D Sheehan, J Kingston (0-4), J Murphy (0-7), three frees). Subs: E Collins for O'Connor (half-time); D Niblock (0-1) for E Murphy (48 mins); J McDonnell (0-1) for Morrissey (55 mins); N Murphy for O'Doherty (60 mins); J Olden for Phelan (75 mins); E Morrissey for Collins (78 mins); C Morrissey for McDonnell (83 mins).

Referee: D Murphy (Wexford).