UCC to defend title against favourites UCD

UNIVERSITY College Dublin confirmed their status as competition favourites with a smooth win over Queen’s University Belfast yesterday to set up an attractive final to the Collingwood Cup (inter-varsity soccer) at The Mardyke, Cork, today (2.30pm ko).

Holders UCC were forced to come from behind to overcome University of Ulster Coleraine 2-1 in a much tighter second semi-final at The Farm.

UCD won their game 2-0 and impressed as the best drilled and best balanced unit in the competition. They were particularly strong in the midfield area.

Both their goals came in the first half Michael McGready deflecting a shot from Molloy into his own net in the 28th minute and Oisin Crean finishing after good work by Burke just before half time.

Coleraine threatened to run away with the other semi-final in the opening half hour when their football was as bright and entertaining as their yellow shirts. When Richie Bambury turned the ball into his own net following a free from Ryan Butcher after just 19 minutes they looked to be on their way.

Cork celebrate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of their football club this year and their determination to mark that by retaining the trophy led to a spirited comeback.

After 40 minutes Paul Rose ran on to a header from Alan Weldon to lift the ball cleverly over the head of goalkeeper John Doey to restore equality for Cork.

Goalkeeper Brendan O'Connell was an important figure for Cork in the second half and apart from his good goalkeeping, he influenced the game by sensible distribution. It was no coincidence Cork's winning goal came from his long clearance in the 77th minute.

Substitute John Herlihy turned O'Connell's clearance into a strike on goal with a superb pass to Rose who dummied, before striking a shot from 18 yards that flew low into the corner of Doey's net.