Rebels march past UL to reach decider

CORK cruised past the students of UL in a one sided McGrath Cup semi-final at Pairc Uí Rinn last night to set up a final clash against Limerick at the same venue next Sunday in what will be a dress rehearsal for their provincial championship meeting next May.

After doing so well against Clare in the opening round, UL were expected to put on another good show against the defending champions but they were outclassed by Cork.

The home side showed the utmost respect for their opponents by fielding a very strong side that included 12 players with championship experience. The regulars played well with Michael Prout, Noel O’Leary, Pearse O’Neill and Alan Cronin the pick of the bunch.

UL were a huge disappointment. They could only manage one point from play over the hour, and coach Declan O’Keeffe has a lot of work ahead of next month’s Sigerson Cup competition.

Using the direct route, UL had the first two scores inside three minutes, but once Cork settled, there was an air of inevitability about the outcome. They were level after seven minutes and only a superb save by UL keeper Brian Egan denied Kevin O’Sullivan a goal.

Cork’s build up was excellent and the pressure on the UL defence was relentless. Egan made two more superb saves to deny the eager Cork attack before he was finally beaten by Kevin O’Sullivan who palmed home in the 12th minute.

Inspired by the surging runs of Pearse O’Neill from midfield, Cork went on a scoring spree adding 1-4 without reply; the goal coming from Donncha O’Connor after the impressive Michael Prout set him up, and at the short whistle the home side led 2-10 to 0-3 and there was only going to be one result.

There was no let up by Cork on the changeover but their forwards opted to take the points when goals looked on.

By the end of the third quarter they had stretched their lead to 2-15 to 0-4, with a succession of well taken points from five attackers. It was all too easy for the home side who could afford the luxury of giving five substitutes a run out without upsetting their rhythm.

Inevitably the third goal came following an excellent passing movement which found centre back Ger Spillane on the end of it and he tucked the ball away for a splendid score before the final whistle brought relief for the students.

Scorers for Cork: D. O’Connor 1-6 (0-3 frees); K. McMahon 0-5; K. O’Sullivan 1-2; G. Spillane 1-1; A. Cronin 0-2; D. Kavanagh, P. O’Neill, S. O’Brien, N. O’Leary, B. Collins, V. Hurley 0-1 each.

UL: J. Buckley 0-3 (frees); C. McGowan 0-1.

CORK: P. O’Shea; M. Prout, D. Coughlan, O. Sexton; N. O’Leary, G. Spillane, E. Cadogan; P. O’Neikll, D. Kavanagh; S. O’Brien, N. Murphy, K. McMahon; K. O’Sullivan. A. Cronin, D. O’Connor.

Subs: B. Collins for O’Brien; S. O’Sullivan for Murphy; S. Levis for Spillane; V. Hurley for Cronin; G. McCarthy for O’Connor.

UL: B. Egan; K. Harrington, M. Moloney, C. O’Mahoney; L. Doyle, S. MacGearailt, F. Coffey; A. O’Sullivan, S. O’Shea; P. Byrne, C. Keane, D. Moran; C. McGowan, F. Lynch, J. Buckley.

Subs. C. Dillon for Byrne; P. Ruane for O’Shea; G. Sunderland for Doyle; D. Geaney for O’Sullivan; P. Kennerk for Ruane.

Referee: A. Mangan (Kerry).