Four-goal UCC put Garda College to the sword to book Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final

UCC’s William Buckley was deadly from frees again. Pic: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho

Fitzgibbon Cup: UCC 4-19 Garda College 1-21

UCC live on. Putting behind them their 10-point opening round defeat, UCC did the necessary at Templemore to stamp their ticket to the Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-finals.

Finishing second in Group B, UCC will be on the road for their last-eight assignment. They’ll be on the road to Fitzgibbon favourites UL.

The performance turned in here won’t be anywhere near sufficient above in Limerick next week. All involved in Ray Delaney’s set-up will accept as much.

Granted the pitch conditions at Templemore were far from conducive to fluid, sharp hurling, but irrespective of the grass needing a trim, UCC stuttered to a 1-10 to 1-7 half-time lead.

Very little of the ball going inside was sticking. Their inside line was routinely coming off second best. There were six first-half wides, as against their opponents’ three. There were three more attempts either blocked or fell short. You couldn’t say they were either clinical or ruthless.

At the far end, Ciaran Kirwan ran through untouched in the second minute for a green flag finished by John Doyle. Surrounded by a pair of early wides, the goal provided belief but little by the way of momentum.

The same as their visit to MTU Cork last week, the Garda students were competitive in the opening half. But the same as their visit to MTU Cork last week, they faded dramatically upon the change of ends.

Lining out minus Cork and Offaly seniors, Daire O’Leary and Daniel Hand, only heightened their task of causing a seismic Fitzgibbon upset and knocking out UCC in the process.

After missing his team's opening round defeat to MTU Cork, Eoin Downey took his place in the heart of the UCC defence and was a relatively commanding figure in the opening period. In the absentee column, Ben Cunningham was injured and instead carried out umpire duties.

The dead-ball accuracy of Cian Boyle - he’d finish with 15 frees - kept the Garda College marginally in front until UCC full-forward Colin Walsh, on 24 minutes, plucked a long delivery from the sky and buried to the net to bring stalemate at 1-6 apiece.

Ed McDermott and a three-in-a-row of William Buckley white flags completed the overtaking movement for a three-point UCC interval lead.

It was game over within seven minutes of the restart. Half-time sub Hugh O’Connor goaled first. He then assisted Darragh Stakelum for another. At 3-10 to 1-8 in front, UCC would not be reeled in.

Their fourth goal spoke of persistence. Ed McDermott, after Colin Walsh and Buckley were both denied, crashed home.

Buckley would finish with an even split of five from play and five from the dead-ball. Another half-time sub, Timmy Wilk, impressed with a pair of points coming forward.

The ill-discipline that saw Boyle convert 15 frees will require a quick remedy against an inter-county UL attack.

Having avoided an upset here, UCC now need to spring one of their own in a week’s time.

Scorers for UCC: W Buckley (0-10, 0-5 frees); E McDermott (1-2); D Stakelum (1-1); C Walsh, H O’Connor (1-0 each); T Wilk (0-2); J Dwyer, D Flynn, P McGarry, M Mullaney (0-1 each).

Scorers for Garda College: C Boyle (0-16, 0-15 frees); J Doyle (1-0); S Fitzgibbon, L Carr, C Kirwan, R Stapleton, D Hayes (0-1 each).

UCC: P O’Sullivan (Fr O’Neill’s); S Daly (Randal Óg), S Kingston (Ballinora), K Lyons (Ballygarvan); J Dwyer (Ballincollig), E Downey (Glen Rovers), E Guinane (Valley Rovers), R Troy (Newtownshandrum), D Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields); B Keating (Ballincollig), W Buckley (St Finbarr’s), E McDermott (James Stephens); D Flynn (Ballygiblin), C Walsh (Kanturk), P McGarry (St Mary’s, Tipperary).

Subs: T Wilk (Cobh) for Daly, H O’Connor (Newmarket) for Troy (both HT); F O’Brien (Erin’s Own) for McDermott (46); M Mullaney (Stradbally) for Lyons (48); T O’Connell (Ballincollig) for Keating (53).

GARDA COLLEGE: J O'Dwyer (Clonoulty Rossmore); L Carr (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams), M Carey (Nenagh Éire Óg), D Brennan (Rathineska/Timahoe); J Mulqueen (Burgess), R Molloy (Tulla), S Fitzgibbon (Dromin/Athlacca); D O'Reilly (Padraig Pearses), C Langan (St Jude's); L Dunne (Adare), T Doyle (Dr Crokes), C Kirwan (Glenmore); C Boyle (Castleknock), J Doyle (St Mullins), R Stapleton (Thurles Sarsfields).

Subs: S O’Brien (Loughrea) for Dunne (HT); D Hayes (Ballingarry) for Langan (35); D Ryan (Na Fianna) for Brennan (57); E Flaherty (Na Fianna) for Stapleton (59).

Referee: D Hughes (Kilkenny).