Vaughan on song as impressive CIT set up Cork derby

Cork IT 2-12 IT Carlow 0-08

Cathal Vaughan slotted 1-6 for the winners to tee-up a Sigerson Cup quarter-final clash with UCC.

After a sloppy first-half, played in a swirling wind, the sides were tied 0-5 apiece. IT Carlow frustrated their fancied opponents with a tigerish defence, CIT forced into two early substitutions as a consequence.

Tipperary’s Liam Boland kicked three points to leave the outsiders level after 20 minutes.

Two Vaughan singles nosed CIT in front approaching the break but Carlow clawed them back. Darren Hayden finished a flowing move and then Donegal’s Darragh White hit a screamer off the outside of the boot from 50 metres.

CIT started with a sense of urgency in the second period. Thomas Hegarty notched a point within seconds of the restart and then on 34 minutes substitute John Corkery flashed to the net after a mazy dribble from Donal Óg Hodnett was halted.

White flags from Vaughan and Hodnett followed. When Vaughan forced the ball the home from close range after 38 minutes, the case was closed (2-8 to 0-5).

Carlow rallied to the bitter end with three points on the bounce but 12 wides undermined their attacking endeavours. A robust CIT defence concentrated on containing Brian Hurley and the Cork senior was limited to a solitary second-half free. The red and white shirts sprinted to the line with two late points from man of the match Vaughan and one from Hodnett. That partnership returned 1-10 on the night.

Scorers for Cork IT: C Vaughan 1-6 (3fs); D Óg Hodnett 0-4 (1f); J Corkery 1-0; T Hegarty, J Walsh 0-1 each.

Scorers for IT Carlow: L Boland 0-4 (2fs), B Kinahan, D White, D Hayden, B Hurley (f) 0-1 each.

CORK IT: (Cork unless stated) D Hanrahan; P Kilkenny (Kerry), E Byrne, TJ Brosnan; S Finn, P Daly, J Collins; B O’Sullivan (Kerry), K O’Connor (Clare); J Walsh (Kerry), S McCarthy, D Treacy (Limerick); C Vaughan, D Óg Hodnett, T Hegarty.

Subs: B O’Regan for Daly (19); J Corkery for McCarthy (26); J O’Connor for Walsh (38); S Cahill (Limerick) for Byrne (42).

IT CARLOW: R Sansom (Louth); E Walsh (Galway), A Nolan (Wexford), P Crowley (Cork); E Lynch (Meath), M Mangan (Kerry), K McGrath (Sligo); B Kinahan (Kildare), D White (Donegal); D Hayden (Wicklow), M Campion (Laois), K Mulvany (Cavan); L Boland (Tipperary), T Durnin (Louth), B Hurley (Cork).

Subs: S Gannon (Carlow) for Durnin (39); C Conroy (Cavan) for Gannon (40); A Forde (Meath) for McGrath (42); M Gunning (Roscommon) for Boland (56).

Referee: D O’Mahoney (Tipperary).