Cork hurlers warm-up with win over UCC

A STRONG Cork senior hurling side, which included Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, enjoyed a 0-22 to 0-19 win over UCC in a challenge at the Mardyke on Saturday.

Trailing 0-18 to 0-15 with 10 minutes remaining, Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s side finished strongly to earn the victory, the half-time introductions of Ben O’Connor and Conor Lehane a big help, while the relocation of Pa Cronin from centre-forward to midfield allowed Cork to get on top in that sector. In the first-half, Patrick Horgan and Cathal Naughton were the scorers-in-chief for Cork, while Ross Cashman and Shane O’Neill did well in defence, though Damien Cahalane, who began at full-back, was forced off injured early in the game. Shane Bourke, Willie Griffin and Daniel Kearney impressed for UCC, who begin their Fitzgibbon Cup campaign at home to DCU on February 1. Cork, who play either Kerry or IT Tralee in the Waterford Crystal Cup quarter-finals, continue their preparations with a game away to Cork IT on Thursday night.

CORK: A Nash; S O’Neill, D Cahalane, B Murphy; E Cadogan, R Cashman, S Óg Ó hAilpín; T Kenny, C McCarthy; B Corry, P Cronin, C Naughton; P Horgan, L O’Farrell, R Clifford.