Goals key for defending champions Duhallow win over UCC

UCC, managed by Dr Con Murphy, were hindered by player unavailability with 19 togged out.

Fri, 09 Aug, 2024 - 22:14

Therese O’Callaghan

McCarthy Insurance Cork Premier SFC (Divisions/Colleges semi-final): Duhallow 4-13 UCC 1-12

First half goals from David O’Connor, Jack Curtin and Luke Murphy enabled Duhallow pull clear of UCC in the McCarthy Insurance Cork Premier SFC (Divisions/Colleges semi-final) in Mallow on Friday night. O’Connor’s second major seven minutes from time secured a 10-point winning margin for the defending champions of this section.

UCC, managed by Dr Con Murphy, were hindered by player unavailability with 19 togged out. In contrast, Duhallow looked that bit more fine tuned and can now look forward to a meeting with Muskerry in the decider at the end of the month.

Ger O’Sullivan’s side, who advanced to the last four of the county championship in 2023, had the long-serving Donncha O’Connor between the posts. He wore the number one shirt after regular keeper Fachtna O’Connor had to cry off due to a leg injury that he picked up during the week in training.

The 2010 All-Ireland winner proved his worth when called upon to make a couple of point-blank saves over the hour.

David O’Connor’s first goal got the ball rolling for Duhallow.

UCC replied through Cathail O’Mahony and Robert Quirke to stay in touch and it was a one-point match after 20 minutes, 1-3 to 0-5.

Curtin’s green flag a minute later ensured Duhallow remained on the front foot.

Their third goal from Murphy, which came following a misdirected kick-out arrived a minute from the break, after an unanswered run of three points, it pushed the divisional side 3-6 to 0-6 ahead at the interval.

UCC could get very little change out of the Duhallow defence. They had plenty of goalscoring opportunities but were denied by the woodwork and some wayward finishing. And there was also a diving save by Donncha O’Connor from Cathail O’Mahony.

Despite being without the experienced duo of Darragh Cashman and Kevin Crowley, the winners managed to maintain that three-goal advantage throughout.

Duhallow’s fourth goal in the 53rd minute left it 4-11 to 0-10, David O’Connor finishing after he was put through by sub Ciarán Curtin.

You’d have to give credit to UCC because, in typical College fashion, they never gave up and were rewarded with a goal in stoppage time. Diarmaid Phelan did most of the approach work while top-scorer Quirke was on hand to apply the finish.

Scorers for Duhallow: David O’Connor (2-2), L Murphy (1-3), J Curtin (1-0), G O’Sullivan and S Hickey (Rockchapel) (0-3 each), S Hickey (Millstreet) and J Lenihan (0-1 each).

Score rs for UCC: R Quirke (1-4, 0-1 45), C O’Mahony (0-3, 0-2 frees), D Phelan (0-2, 0-1 free), S Ahern (free), D McMahon and T Cunningham (0-1 each).

DUHALLOW: D O’Connor (Ballydesmond, J-Capt); S Curtin (Rockchapel), K Cremin (Boherbue, J-Capt), D Buckley (Boherbue); S Hickey (Millstreet), C O’Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), C Murphy (Castlemagner); S Hickey (Rockchapel), L Moynihan (Boherbue); J Curtin (Rockchapel), C Walsh (Cullen), M McAuliffe (Rockchapel); G O’Sullivan (Boherbue), D O’Connor (Boherbue), L Murphy (Cullen).

Subs: C Curtin (Rockchapel) for L Moynihan (42), J Kelleher (Dromtarriffe) for Shane Hickey (45). J Lenihan (Millstreet) for J Curtin (50). D O’Callaghan (Ballydesmond) for M McAuliffe (54), F Cronin (Cullen) for C Murphy (56).

UCC: Cork unless stated: D Treanor (Tyholland, Monaghan); S Nix (Kerins O’Rahilly’s, Kerry), N Lordan (Ballinora), J Rosales Harrington (Castletownbere); D Murray (Glanmire), D Phelan (Aghada), M O’Rourke (Cobh); I Jenkins (KIlmacabea), F O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar, Kerry); S Ahern (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin), T Cunningham (Kilshannig), N Davis (Ballinora); D McMahon (Canovee), C O’Mahony (Mitchelstown), R Quirke (Ballinora).

Subs: D Holland (Argideen Rangers) for S Nix (30 +1), J Murphy (Kinsale) for F O’Sullivan (half-time), J O’Riordan (Glenville) for S Ahern (44), F Desmond (Ballymartle) for N Davis (48), N Davis for J Murphy (53 inj), S Ahern for C O’Mahony (temp 58).

Referee: Ciarán Murphy (Glanworth).