O’Flynn goals seal it for CIT

CIT 3-8 UCC 2-8

The win, CIT’s first over their collegiate rivals in a knock-out competition, sets up a meeting with Tipperary in Clonmel on Sunday.

However, the early indications pointed towards a win for the university side who raced 1-1 clear after two minutes. But once CIT settled they outclassed to their opponents.

O’Flynn’s two first half strikes put his side nine points clear after 25 minutes and, considering they failed to convert two penalties, (Daniel Goulding opting to take his points instead), CIT won this contest with ease.

With two wins in the competition they will have few fears against Tipperary at the weekend.

In a game were UCC had three players sin binned and CIT one - the latter also had Robert Mageean sent off for a second bookable offence - the home side got off to the perfect start with a William Morgan point and a great goal by Liam Ó Lionain. CIT never panicked and within five minutes Goulding had the ball in the net. Then, CIT, inspired by the excellence of Robert Megeean, and Vincent Hurley in attack, went on a scoring spree. O’Flynn grabbed the first of his two goals following a splendid passing movement from defence. Goulding tapped the first of his penalties over the bar before O’Flynn had his second goal of the day.

Half time arrived with CIT comfortably in front at 3-5 to 1-4. Looking to retrieve the situation, UCC rolled out their three Cork senior players, Conor McCarthy, Noel O’Donovan and John Hayes.

However, CIT’s defence was solid, particularly Michael Prout and Paddy Nealon, but when Megeean who had returned from the sin bin, was sent off, they were forced to play the last 12 minutes with 14 players.

UCC laid siege to the CIT defence, and the pressure finally told when Morgan set Hayes up for a goal which left three points between the sides with nine minutes to go.

CIT defended superbly in those closing minutes, but after Conor McCarthy reduced the deficit still further with a point, CIT broke upfield for the all important insurance score when Goulding pointed his second penalty after UCC keeper David McInerney fouled the forward.

Scorers: CIT: R. O’Flynn 2-0; D. Goulding 1-3 (0-2 frees); D. O’Connor 0-3 (0-2 free); V. Hurley 0-2. UCC: L. Ó Lionain 1-1; W. Morgan 0-4 (0-2 free); J. Hayes 1-0; D. Mehigan, G. Burke (free), C. McCarthy 0-1 each.

CIT: K. Murphy; M. Prout, P. Nealon, P. Sheehan; N. Hennessy, M. Vaughan, E. O’Connor; D. Breen, R. Megeean; V. Hurley, A. Morgan, D. O’Connor; D. Goulding, P. O’Flynn, C. O’Connor. Subs. M. Green for C. O’Connor; M. Milner for Hurley.

UCC: D. McInerney; D. Óg O’Donovan, F. Griffin, D. Riordan; R. McCarthy, G. Burke, J. Wycherley; P. Madden, P. Galvin; P. Kelly, C. Brosnan, D. Mehigan; W. Morgan, D. Walsh, L Ó Lionain. Subs. B. Crowley for Madden; C. McCarthy for Brosnan; J. Hayes for Kelly; N. O’Donovan for Riordan.

Referee: M. Meade (Limerick).