CIT beat rain to blow past Carbery

Last year’s defeated Cork County SHC finalists CIT advanced to the fourth round of this year’s competition as they saw off Carbery at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

In a game where conditions mitigated against flowing hurling, a good start to the second half helped CIT to build a lead they held until the end, which pleased manager Keith Ricken.

“It was a fine, clean sporting game,” he said, “when the ball is stuck in puddles of mud and water, fellas could flake and whatever, but there was none of that.

“Carbery were dogged in the first half but we just got to grips with the weather slightly better. We’ve had a few games recently and they’ve stood to us.

After Michael O’Sullivan and Simon O’Brien had got the college side off the mark, Carbery reeled off four points in a row, Darren Sweetnam, Jamie Wall, Maurice Sexton (free) and Daniel Twomey all on target.

John Cronin and David Drake soon had CIT level while Nicky Kelly’s long-range free made it 0-5 to 0-4 and the impressive O’Sullivan gave them a cushion.

A good Kelly run was only halted by Sweetnam’s fine hook, but Tommy Quaid’s free just before half-time meant a three-point interval lead.

By the 35th minute, that lead had expanded to six as Quaid, Drake and O’Brien all scored.

O’Sullivan grabbed his third after a mazy run in the 40th minute, but a pair of Darren Crowley frees — sandwiching an off-target goal attempt from Darren Sugrue — kept Carbery in touch.

Lorcán McLoughlin, following a perfect crossfield ball by Kelly, responded for CIT and then Kelly nabbed his second.

Though Carbery were managing to win frees courtesy of driving runs at the heart of the CIT defence, Crowley converting two more, CIT always looked as if they had enough inside them to pull clear again when needed.

Drake made it 0-14 to 0-8 in the 54th minute after linking with his Carrigaline colleague O’Brien and they grew stronger as the end neared, Cronin and captain McLoughlin tacking on more scores.

A late goal attempt from Carbery sub Cárthach Keane fizzed over, but CIT progressed to the last 16.

Scorers for Cork IT: M O’Sullivan, D Drake 0-3 each, S O’Brien, T Quaid (2f), N Kelly (1f), L McLoughlin, J Cronin 0-2 each,

Scorers for Carbery: D Crowley 0-4 (4f), D Sweetnam, M Sexton (1f), J Wall, D Twomey, C Keane 0-1 each.

CORK IT: K Roche (Banteer); B Withers (Banteer), M Ellis (Millstreet), M Desmond (Ballinhassig); B O’Sullivan (Fermoy), M Ahern (Ballinhassig), S White (Ballygarvan); L McLoughlin (Kanturk), N Kelly (Mayfield); J Cronin (Lisgoold), D Drake (Carrigaline), A Walsh (Kanturk); S O’Brien (Carrigaline), M O’Sullivan (Tracton), T Quaid (Effin).

Subs: S O’Halloran for Desmond (50).

CARBERY: J McSweeney (Bandon); C O’Driscoll (St Oliver Plunkett’s), J Crowley (Newcestown), J O’Donovan (Bandon); D Lucey (Bandon), R Cashman (Kilbrittain), G O’Driscoll (Newcestown); D Sweetnam (Dohenys), M Sexton (Kilbrittain); M Sugrue (Bandon), F Keane (Newcestown), K Coffey (St Oliver Plunkett’s); D Crowley (Bandon), J Wall (Kilbrittain), D Twomey (Newcestown).

Subs: C Keane (Newcestown) for Coffey (44), D Hickey (Kilbrittain) for F Keane (47), R Crowley (Bandon) for D Twomey (58).

Referee: C Lyons (Nemo Rangers).