Rampant UCC blitz depleted GMIT

THREE goals in the opening 21 minutes paved the way for UCC to get their Fitzgibbon Cup ambitions back on track at a bitterly cold Ardrahan in south Co Galway yesterday.

The Cork college bounced back from their 14-point opening round loss to Limerick IT to dish out a hammering to a Galway side without a number of key players through injury and suspension.

Corner-forward Stephen Moylan set UCC on their way with a fourth minute goal and when Shane Burke and Rob White also found the net, there was no way back for GMIT.

UCC led by 3-9 to 0-6 at the break and while Ronan Madden lashed a 21 yards free into the roof of the net seven minutes after the restart, GMIT struggled to narrow the gap.

UCC picked off points at will during the second-half and drafted in five subs to give them options when they play Waterford IT in a crucial encounter next day out.

Even with promising Clare star Darach Honan being held to a point by tigerish full-back Kieran Flannery, the UCC attack still had too much firepower for GMIT, with all six starting attackers finding the range.

UCC scorers: S Moylan (1-6, 0-6 frees); R White (1-2); S Burke (1-1); J Holbert (0-3, two free); G Mulcahy (0-2); B O’Sullivan (0-1); J Jordan (0-1); M Grace (0-1); D Honan (0-1); L O’Farrell (0-1).

GMIT: R Madden (1-6, all frees); J Gelston (0-1, sideline); C Egan (0-1); D Burke (0-1); D Fitzell (0-1).

UCC: M Collins; C O’Driscoll, R Foley, C O’Sullivan; J Jordan, K Hartnett, A Quilligan; B O’Sullivan, M Wilkinson; S Burke, M Grace, R White; S Moylan, D Honan, G Mulcahy.

Subs: J Holbert for White, 42 mins; S Cotter for Jordan, 50 mins; L O’Farrell for Moylan, 50 mins; W Carney for Burke, 50 mins; P Barry for B O’Sullivan, 50 mins.

GMIT: A Ryan; S Hynes, K Flannery, G O’Halloran; L Halpin, D Maher, N Rogers; T Flannery, J Gelston; A O’Shaughnessy, C Egan, D Burke; E Feeney, R Madden, L Hands.

Subs: D Fitzell for Hynes, 21 mins; T Martin for Halpin, 37 mins; T Sheehan for Rogers, 50 mins; J Liddy for Hands, 50 mins; B Quinn for D Burke, 51 mins.

Referee: C Browne (Galway).