Hennessy books final spot for UCC

TWO first-half Shane Hennessy goals booked UCC's place in today's Collingwood Cup final in Belfast against University of Ulster Coleraine.

UCC 2 Queens 1

The Cork side started well and deservedly went in front on 24 minutes when Hennessy headed home from six yards from after a cross by Owen Costine.

And, before Queens had a chance to regroup, Hennessy got his second five minutes later after some good close control in the box.

The hosts were rattled but UCC failed to capitalise for the rest of the half. The Cork side looked solid at the back, with veteran Alan Weldon commanding, but Queens still looked menacing on occasions.

The Belfast students got back in the game five minutes into the second-half when Ger Moore scored.

The impressive Barry Leahy could have wrapped things up for UCC in the 56th minute when Queens' keeper Steven Keenan punched a looping cross straight onto the striker's head but he uncharacteristically missed the target.

But, with the experienced Barry Leahy, Ken Bruton and Shane Hennessy prominent, UCC held on to secure their final place.

"Northern teams are tough opposition and we knew were in for a battle from the start," said two-goal hero Hennessy "We got our goals and weathered the storm but our job here isn't done yet."

Assistant manager Martin McCarthy commented: "it was a very tough game. We had a great first-half but Queens' early goal in the second-half put us under huge pressure. Thankfully we held out but we have another tough game tomorrow."

In the other semi-final, University of Ulster, Coleraine defeated UL on penalties in a game of very few chances.

Limerick took the lead after 30 minutes through Anton Mannering and could have added another before-half time.

Coleraine pulled level in the second-half through Danny Commane and the game was still deadlocked after extra-time. So it went to penalties, and Ryan McGeough made two fantastic saves to guide Coleraine home 6-5.

UCC: B. O'Connell, A. Weldon, R. Bambury, O. Costine, J. O'Connell, D. Hayes, K. Bruton, J. Herlihy, P. Gleeson, S. Hennessy, B. Leahy. Subs: E. O'Driscoll for D. Hayes, F. O'Keeffe for J. Herlihy.

QUEENS: S. Keenan, S. O'Neill, J. Donaghy, S. Harper, B. Noonan, P. McGuickin, G. Moore, P. McDonald, M. Prenter, A. Agill, G. McLaughlin.