McCarthy, Doherty point way in fog for UCC

UCC 1-17 LIT 2-7

The visitors had four points on the board after eight minutes, courtesy of Kerry ace Ivan McCarthy (2), Shane O’Sullivan and Paul O’Brien.

Over the same period, LIT had an equal amount of possession but clocked four wides.

Their prospects looked slim when UCC raced into a 0-7 to 0-2 lead. However, LIT saw light at the end of the tunnel when Tipperary star Eoin Kelly blasted a close-in free low to the net coming up to the break.

They might have had an earlier goal when Clive Early sent Barry Nugent through but, unchallenged, he shot straight at keeper Richard O’Neill.

UCC, however, were not impressed that Kelly had pulled them back, and within 60 seconds had raised a green flag of their own, the impressive Rory Doherty flicking a 65 from Richard Flannery past Aidan Ryan, to leave it 1-7 to 1-2 at the break.

UCC took up the running again at the start of the second half and, powered by Flannery and Evan Hurley in defence, as well as Shane O’Neill and Darragh McSweeney, their attack saw a generous supply of the ball. McCarthy, Doherty and O’Brien continued to show their appreciation by knocking over points, to none in reply.

LIT, who had willing workers in mature student Fergus Flynn at centre-back, Dave Morrissey, on his right flank, and the lively Clive Early at half-forward, had Owen Kelly to thank for lifting their stock in the last 10 minutes. He beat the defensive wall for goal number two, then tacked on a point. Other scores followed by Iarlath Tannon and Morrissey to make for an exciting finish.

UCC mentor John Considine was quite pleased with his side’s performance, and gave credit to their opponents for having stayed the distance.

The wonder was that the game finished at all. With visibility down to 20 yards at one stage it was extremely difficult for players and spectators to know exactly what was going on. But referee Johnny McDonnell kept the show on the road.

Scorers: UCC: I. McCarthy 0-8, R. Doherty 1-3, P. O’Brien 0-3, S. O’Sullivan 0-2, R. O’Brien 0-1.

LIT: E. Kelly 2-4, D. Morrissey, J. Tannon, C. Early 0-1 each

UCC: R. O’Neill; D. Coady, D. McSweeney, R.McCarthy, E. Hanley, R. Flannery, S.O’Neill; K. Hartnett, T. Walsh; S. O’Sullivan, M. O’Connor, I. McCarthy, R. O’Brien, R. Doherty, P. O’Brien.

LIT: A. Ryan; C. O’Mahony, J. Coen, E. Collins, D. Morrissey, F. Flynn, H. Hayes; J. Clancy, S. Tierney; B.Nugent, I. Tiernan, A. Callinan, C. Early, E. Kelly, D. O’Reilly. Sub. E. Fenton for O’Reilly.

Referee: J. McDonnell (Tipperary).