Spillane sidesteps to conquer for UCC

UCC claimed the significant scalp of competition favourites DCU at the quarter-final stage of the Sigerson Cup in Belfield yesterday as they prevailed by a slender one-point margin after a terrific game of football.

In the process, UCC gained revenge for the defeat they suffered in last season’s decider against DCU in Leixlip and boosted their own prospects as they prepare for today’s semi-final showdown with hosts UCD.

A DCU team peppered with intercounty stars had aspirations to challenge strongly for silverware this weekend yet they were missing Brian Cullen, David Kelly and Donal Shine. The greater balance of the UCC outfit proved influential as they produced a vastly improved display from their opening tie against GMIT.

The match was defined by the goal-scoring chances created in the closing stages with UCC critically converting the single chance that came their way and DCU spurning the pair of openings that they engineered. In a similar manner to the final last March between the sides, the solitary goal of the game proved decisive. It came in the 50th minute after a sweeping team move by UCC with Sean Kiely, Jamie O’Sullivan, Daithi Casey and Barry O’Driscoll acting as links in the chain of passes before JB Spillane calmly sidestepped Mayo netminder Robert Hennelly and slotted a shot to the net.

That score propelled UCC into an advantageous position as they led 1-11 to 0-10 yet they were forced to endure a finale fraught with anxiety. Within 60 seconds of Spillane’s strike, DCU centre-forward Michael Lyng saw his fisted effort loop over UCC goalkeeper Ken O’Halloran but strike off the butt of the upright.

Then in the 55th minute, a creative passage of play saw Paddy Andrews break clear for DCU only for him to strike a shot off the post and then blast the rebound wide on the other side of the goal. Those were let-offs for UCC but they kept their composure as DCU whittled away at their lead and sustained the barrage of pressure that was inflicted on their defence to hold on for a brilliant success.

“I think we put on a great display in football,” remarked UCC selector John Corcoran. “We set out our stall early on and our running game exposed weaknesses in their defence. The goal came at a vital stage when we were on top and fair play to JB, he struck it very well. We hung on very nervously in the end when they had chances and got some luck. But I think we deserved that.”

From the outset it was evident that UCC were capable of matching their opponents. DCU began brightly with Donegal attacker Michael Murphy landing some inspirational points as they led 0-4 to 0-2 by the 15th minute.

But gradually Eoin O’Mahony got to grips with Murphy while Peter Crowley and Sean Kiely were also to the fore in defence. At midfield James Fitzpatrick began to impact more as the half progressed while the introduction of Johnny Buckley in the 24th minute was a significant boost for UCC. He provided a focal point to their attacks and linked up wonderfully with club colleague Daithi Casey, who notched four first-half points, as UCC edged ahead 0-7 to 0-6 at the interval.

DCU shifted around their players after the break by bringing Murphy to midfield, while Cavan’s Michael Lyng and Laois star Colm Begley dictated matters early on. When Murphy split the posts in the 38th minute, DCU led 0-9 to 0-8 and appeared to possess crucial momentum. However UCC impressively broke their spell of dominance and surged back into contention. Barry O’Driscoll smacked over a stunning point from 50 yards in the 40th minute while Fitzpatrick and Stephen O’Brien both claimed important scores as well.

Then Spillane pounced for that vital goal in the 50th minute which pushed UCC into a four-point lead. The manic energy and work-rate displayed by UCC did start to tell as they tired and DCU poured forward in the closing stages. Begley and Lyng cut the gap to two points by the 57th minute before UCC substitute Mike Griffin clipped over a priceless point from an acute angle. DCU attacked relentlessly towards the finish and that spell yielded points from Kevin Nolan and Chris McGuinness. They pushed hard for the levelling score but UCC’s defence held firm to seal a merited triumph.

Scorers for UCC: D Casey 0-4 (one free); B O’Driscoll 0-3 (one free, one ’45); JB Spillane 1-0; J Fitzpatrick 0-2; S O’Brien, J Buckley, M Griffin 0-1 each.

Scorers for DCU: M Murphy 0-5 (one free); M Lyng 0-4 (four frees); C Begley 0-2; J McCarthy, K Nolan, C McGuinness 0-1 each.

UCC: K O’Halloran (Cork); P Crowley (Kerry), E O’Mahony (Cork), J O’Sullivan (Cork); S Kiely (Cork), A Greaney (Kerry), B Daly (Cork); W Kennedy (Cork), J Fitzpatrick (Cork); K O’Driscoll (Cork), M Collins (Cork), JB Spillane (Kerry); B O’Driscoll (Cork), D Casey (Kerry), S O’Brien (Kerry).

Subs: J Buckley (Kerry) for Kennedy (24), N Daly (Roscommon) for Greaney (inj.) (53), M Griffin (Kerry) for O’Brien (55), D Nation (Cork) for Fitzpatrick (60).

DCU: R Hennelly (Mayo); P McMahon (Dublin), K Gavin (Westmeath), S Ormsby (Roscommon); J McCarthy (Dublin), K Nolan (Dublin), C Begley (Laois); M McElhinney (Donegal), N McAdam (Monaghan); C Cregg (Roscommon), M Lyng (Cavan), P Flynn (Dublin); P Andrews (Dublin), M Murphy (Donegal), C McGuinness (Monaghan).

Subs: A McFadden (Donegal) for Cregg (36), C Rafferty (Louth) for Flynn (39), F O’Shea (Cork) for McAdam (53).

Referee: Con Reynolds (Down).