UCC 1-14 Avondhu 0-7

UCC proved far too crafty for Avondhu in the Co SFC at Fermoy on Tuesday evening. While the College opened the scoring with an early pointed free by Conor Cox, it was Avondhu who did well in the first quarter. They had their first score by Eoin Stanton after UCC keeper Sean Mellett had saved well from Teddy O’Shea. Good work by Vincent O’Donoghue led to a great point by Dave Pyne. The North Cork side edged two points clear when Eoin Stanton and Teddy O’Shea worked well for Vincent O’Donoghue who kicked a great point.

UCC regrouped well. Gavin O’Grady put Conor Sweeney through but Avondhu keeper Cormac Quilligan saved well from close range. Another movement involving Paul Murphy led to a College point by Conor Cox. Avondhu in a good break out of defence by Chris Kenny, had a point by Eamon O’Connor that had them 0-4 to 0-2 clear. UCC again fought back well and Eoin Buckley kicked over. Impressive Peter Crowley levelled at 0-4 each. College edged ahead through Cox. Avondhu were on terms soon after with a well taken point by Eamon O’Connor. Further College pressure saw Peter Crowley and Eoin Buckley link up well, with Crowley on hand to goal and lead at the break 1-5 to 0-5.

College were well in control in the second half. They dominated in the half backline and midfield sectors ensuring plenty supply up front. Avondhu missed a few good chances but were limited to just two points in this half by James Loughrey and Dave Pyne. College on the other hand had 9 points. Early after the resumption Conor Cox pointed from a free and play with Eoin Buckley opening up a 1-8 to 0-5 lead by the 40th minute. UCC’s Paul Murphy cut through on goal in the 43rd minute but his effort at goal was saved by Cormac Quilligan with the rebound going over.

The last quarter was a mere formality with both sides introducing a number of substitutes. Conor Sweeney kicked a great point in the 48th minute 1-10 to 0-6. College continued to do well and ran out easy winners by a 10 point margin in the end.

Scorers for UCC: Peter Crowley (1-2), Conor Cox (0-5, 0-2f), Eoin Buckley (0-2), Darragh O’Sullivan (0-2), Kevin O’Driscoll (0-1), Conor Sweeney (0-1) and Paul Murphy (0-1).

Avondhu: David Pyne (0-2), Eamon O’Connor (0-2), Vincent O’Donoghue (0-1), Eoin Stanton (0-1) and James Loughrey (0-1).

UCC: Sean Mellett (Carrigaline), Paul Galvin (Ballymacelligott), Eoin O’Mahony (Macroom), Matthew Galvin (Ballymacelligott), Fergal McNamara (Austin Stacks), Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers), Tomas Clancy (Fermoy), Padraigh Lucey (Legion), Darragh O’Sullivan (Dingle), Kevin O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaighs), Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen), Paul Murphy (Rathmore), Eoin Buckley (St. Michael’s), Conor Cox (Listowel Emmett’s) and Billy Hewitt (Ardfinnan). Subs: Tom Hickey (Castleisland Desmond’s) for Billy Hewitt, Ben Shorten (Beal Atha An Ghaorthaidh) for Eoin Buckley, Shane Power (Clonmel Commercials) for Kevin O’Driscoll and Niall McCarthy (Kinsale) for Philip Galvin.

AVONDHU: Cormac Quilligan (Mallow), Luke Dockery (do), Paul O’Flynn (Ballyclough), Chris Kenny (Clyda Rovers), Eoin Stanton (Mallow), James Loughrey (do), Conor O’Sullivan (Clyda Rovers), Paudie Kissane (do), Hurl Dockery (Mallow), Cian O’Riordan (do), David Pyne (Glanworth), Eamon O’Connor (Kildorrery), Michael Sheehan (Glanworth), Vincent O’Donoghue (Araglin) and Teddy O’Shea (Ballyclough). Subs: Dave Dineen (Mitchelstown) for Hurl Dockery, Cian O’Sullivan (Clyda Rovers) for Vincent O’Donoghue (inj), Shane Beston (Mitchelstown) for Michael Sheehan, Shane Cahill (Mitchelstown) for Teddy O’Shea and Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig) for Cian O’Riordan.

Referee: James Dorgan (Nemo Rangers).