Under-strength students still too smart for Na Piarsaigh

UCC 1-12 Na Piarsaigh 1-10

Forced to line out without four Kilkenny seniors, one U-21 player and one Tipperary senior, the university students turned in a marvellous display of grit and determination which the champions couldn’t match. With their semi-final unlikely to be played until at least the first Sunday in October, a full strength UCC must now be favourites to win their first title in 35 years.

They had many heroes on Saturday, but goalkeeper Richie O’Neill stood head and shoulders above all. The Kilkenny man made three blinding saves at crucial stages to deny a strangely lethargic Na Piarsaigh side that never really functioned at full throttle.