With the 'pure slog' nearly over, Cork are ready to hurl

Several Cork stars lining out for UCC meant Rebels hurling manager Ben O'Connor had players to watch on both teams in the Canon O'Brien Cup

Cian Darcy scored 1-1 for Cork in the Canon O'Brien Cup defeat to UCC. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Canon O’Brien Cup: UCC 2-18 Cork 2-17 

With the Christmas dinner digested, Ben O’Connor is looking forward to chewing over Cork’s game plan in the new year after a Canon O’Brien Cup defeat to UCC.

While they were denied by William Buckley’s 63rd-minute winning point, the new Rebel manager was content to see that many of the Skull and Crossbones’ best performers were also seeking to catch his eye.

“It would have been nice to win this,” said O’Connor with a smile, “but it's all about seeing fellas in action.

“We've been training hard, but it’s all strength and conditioning at the moment. It's only the base-work, it's pure slog this time of year, but you learn a lot about fellas in that too.

“We're just delighted now that we're coming into the new year, we're going to start doing a bit more hurling, a lot more ball-work.

“There's lots of the running side of it done, so it's down to getting the game plan and getting the hurling better.”

The victory marked the Students’ fourth success in the 12th iteration of the pre-season challenge. Eoin Guinane proved a fitting captain to collect a trophy in honour of a fellow Valley Rovers man.

“We had a good few playing with UCC, so we got to look at more than the 18 we used ourselves. We got to look at 25 or 26,” O’Connor added.

“We've a good few bodies in at the moment. That has to be cut, unfortunately, in the middle of January, so that's what these games are for.

“There's a good few fellas that were impressive today, so it’s only onwards and upwards from here.” 

For UCC, Ben Cunningham had his radar tuned in with 1-10 from 11 shots. Placed balls accounted for 1-9. His other point was the score of the day as he intercepted a puck-out, flicked the sliotar over a defender, and pointed off the hurley.

Paudie O’Sullivan and Limerick panellist Fionn O’Brien each produced two excellent saves to thwart Rebel forwards. Ballinora full-back Shane Kingston impressed, while Finn O’Brien kept the scoreboard ticking over until a late injury.

“I said it to them before the game, there's a bunch in our dressing room who might have wanted to be in the other dressing room,” said UCC manager Ray Delaney.

“There was a couple who mightn’t have been called in by Cork feel that they should have been called in. So everybody had something to prove this morning, and I don't think anyone let themselves down.” 

Young supporters try to gather the ball after a point for UCC during the Canon O'Brien Cup match at The Mardyke in Cork. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Illness was a factor in both camps, while UCC had players from other county panels made unavailable. They could call on 19 of their 35-man Fitzgibbon Cup squad. Brian Keating and Hugh O’Connor were absent due to chest infections, while Timmy Wilk got stitches out of his hand over the weekend.

It was a similar story for Ben O’Connor, who referenced Wilk’s injury, a knock for Robbie O’Flynn, and “a good few fellas out sick”.

Two late changes saw Daire O’Leary and Cormac O’Brien introduced. They proved effective distributors from a defence anchored by debutants in St Finbarr’s full-back Ciarán Doolan and Bride Rovers centre-back Cillian Tobin.

The half-forward line was an all Sarsfields trio, including newcomers Cian Darcy and Colm McCarthy alongside Jack O’Connor. Darcy sniped 1-1 after half-time to cap a lively performance.

There were recalls for Kanturk midfielder Brian O’Sullivan and Watergrasshill’s Seán Desmond, who each contributed two white flags.

Every inch of railing was occupied around the Mardyke pitch, plus viewing points on the Shakey Bridge, as the Cork public turned out early for the midday throw-in.

Jack Cahalane opened the scoring with his first of four points. Jack O’Connor slotted another and was denied a goal by Fionn O’Brien’s sharp reflexes. A Robert Troy brace kept UCC in touch.

Fionn O’Brien stopped a batted Desmond effort, but two points from Brian O’Sullivan extended Cork’s lead to four.

UCC closed the gap with the final three points of the half. Two were Cunningham frees, including one parried over the crossbar by Bríon Saunderson. Finn O’Brien’s juggling skills were rewarded with his third point for a 0-11 to 0-12 half-time deficit.

Cork were left waiting on the field for UCC to return, but kicked on with 1-1 from Darcy, who ghosted in behind the cover to collect Saunderson’s long puck-outs for both scores.

UCC reeled off an unanswered 2-3 in reply. Buckley opened his account with two points. In between, in the 40th minute, Cunningham bounced past Saunderson from a close-range free.

Paudie O’Sullivan saved from Alan Walsh before a Cunningham free moved UCC ahead for the first time. In the 46th minute, they leapt four clear. Finn O’Brien drew the foul but played on to feed Peter O’Shea to finish; 2-15 to 1-14.

Cork got back level in the 59th minute with Declan Dalton’s brilliant flick creating Shane Kingston’s fiercely struck goal.

Paudie O’Sullivan saved Darcy’s batted effort before Cork hit their final three chances wide. Meanwhile, Buckley nailed his shot from the sideline for the winner.

Scorers for UCC: B Cunningham (1-10, 1-8 frees, 0-1 65); P O’Shea (1-0); Finn O’Brien, W Buckley (0-3 each); R Troy (0-2).

Scorers for Cork: C Darcy (1-1); J Cahalane (0-4, 1 free); S Kingston (1-0); B O’Sullivan, C McCarthy (2 frees), S Desmond, D Dalton (2 frees) (0-2 each); C O’Brien, E Twomey, M Mullins, J O’Connor (0-1 each).

UCC (Cork clubs unless stated): Fionn O’Brien (Bruree, Limerick); S Daly (Randal Óg), S Kingston (Ballinora), E Guinane (Valley Rovers); D Scully (Dromin-Athlacca, Limerick), J Dwyer (Ballincollig), E Downey (Glen Rovers); R Troy (Newtownshandrum), T O’Connell (Ballincollig); B Cunningham (St Finbarr’s), P O’Shea (Erin’s Own), C Walsh (Kanturk); W Buckley (St Finbarr’s), Finn O’Brien (Erin’s Own), R O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh).

Subs: P O’Sullivan (Fr O’Neills) for Fionn O’Brien (h-t), D Cremin (Midleton) for R O’Sullivan (h-t), H Boyle (Clara, Kilkenny) for Scully (46), B Lehane (Watergrasshill) for O’Shea (51), J Enright (Inniscarra) for O’Connell (52), O’Shea for Finn O’Brien (56, inj).

CORK: B Saunderson; E Roche, C Doolan, D O’Leary; C O’Brien, C Tobin, E Twomey; M Mullins, B O’Sullivan; C Darcy, Colm McCarthy, J O’Connor; A Walsh, S Desmond, J Cahalane.

Subs: S O’Donoghue for Twomey (39), D Dalton for Mullins (39), S Kingston for O’Connor (39).

Referee: S Scanlon (Newcestown).