UCC stunned by Mary I

Mary Immaculate College Limerick caused the shock of the Irish Universities Collingwood Cup by edging out holders UCC 4-2 on penalties in the semi-final at UL after the game finished level at 1-1 after extra-time.

Noel O’Connor’s underdogs took the lead through Peter Lane after just two minutes, when he took advantage of a slip by centre-back Dan Murphy and rounded goalkeeper Kieran McEnery to fire into the empty net.

The holders, missing right winger Rob Waters after his surprise overnight move to Dundalk, almost hit back after Luke Burgess had a shot cleared off the line and goalkeeper Bobby Carroll then saved a Steve Mahon drive.

In the second half UCC rained shots in but still Noel O’Connor’s charges stood firm.

Finally the breakthrough came with a superbly struck 30-yard effort from right winger Mahon.

Both sides gave their all in the 20 minutes of extra-time but neither managed to claim a winner.

The penalty shoot-out quickly turned in favour of the Limerick side when UCC’s Mahon struck the crossbar and then goalkeeper Carroll saved from Dan Murphy. And with Frankie Marron, Peter Lane, John Hutton and Ian Hughes all on target, O’Connor’s men claimed a famous victory.

UCD will provide the opposition for Mary I in today’s final at the UL Bowl (2pm) after they hit six without reply to end the fine run of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Canadian born striker Michael Arnold netted a hat trick and goals from Niall Hanley, Ross King and Brian McDonald completed the scoring.

Elsewhere DCU took a narrow 3-2 extra-time win over Dublin University in the Spillane Cup final.