Scanlon shines as UCC shock Bohs in cliffhanger
The Cork students weathered a second-half comeback from their Limerick counterparts to record a thrilling 29-28 intervarsity win.
Having lost the likes of Scott Deasy, Ian Nagle, Sam Cronin, Stephen Archer and Gavin Dunne in the close season, a new-look College side were underdogs heading into this clash against a more settled-looking Bohs outfit.
But they flew out of the blocks, going 10-0 up inside five minutes via tries from Shane O’Sullivan and Sean Scanlon, with Mike Linehan claiming a charge-down effort later in the half.
Andrew Burke, on his first appearance for College after recovering from a stomach muscle injury, added one conversion, though three Eddie Tormey penalties kept Bohs in touch at 17-9 at half-time.
And the Limerick side bossed the third quarter, with Tormey, David Moloney and John O’Neill all crossing, and they led 28-23 going into the final minutes, after Brian Derham had tacked on two penalties for College.
However, former Ireland U20 wing Scanlon, who is not a regular placekicker, stepped up to land two booming long-range penalties to steal it at the death for the hosts.
College were joined in the last four by holders Cork Constitution, who eased to a 25-6 win over Thomond at Temple Hill. Ger Finucane’s penalty gave Thomond an early lead, but Con led 15-3 at the break via tries from Ian Nagle and former Tralee man Cyprien Jouvé, and five points from the boot of Richie Lane.
Kevin O’Mahony notched a drop-goal to keep the visitors in touch, but Darragh Lyons replied in kind midway through the second half, before Stephen Archer’s try, converted by Lane, killed the game as a contest.
Con will be at home again to Young Munster – who received a walkover from Cashel – in the semi-finals, with College awaiting the winner of the postponed Dolphin vs Shannon clash.r
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
