UCD 0-13 UCC 1-9: The onerous task of travelling into the hosts' territory fell to UCD for the first of yesterday's Datapac Fitzgibbon Cup semi-finals, yet they managed to emerge with the spoils after a bruising hour's hurling at the Mardyke, Cork.
The pre-match punditry leaned towards UCC, who were expected to be buoyed by the advantages of a home venue. But UCD showed enough resolve to tough out a slender victory and book their berth in today's final.
The Dublin college overcame a host of difficulties to successfully smother UCC's aspirations of glory. UCD were restricted on the injury front, with Tipperary senior Diarmuid Fitzgerald starting amid fitness doubts, and they also introduced Wexford's John O'Connor and Tipperary's Paul Ormonde as substitutes, the pair having withdrawn from the starting 15 beforehand.
In the opening period they were a no show as UCC threatened to overrun them. But for the remainder of the game UCD matched their opponents and constructed a sublime spell before half-time in chalking up eight consecutive points and shutting up shop at the back.
It was in defence where UCD did their best work, with Michael Fitzgerald a stout presence and Tipperary's Eamonn Ryan producing a fine performance at centre back.
David Hayes was impressive in his battle with Tom Kenny at midfield, while John McCarthy shone in attack with four neat points.
UCD's prospects were also aided by an ineffectual display by the opposition. This game will fill UCC with disappointment for some time to come, exacerbated by the fact that, for all their underperforming, the match was still up for grabs near the end.
They missed two frees late on, the second a difficult opportunity for Shane O'Sullivan, but the first was a straightforward chance that James Fitzpatrick fluffed.
Aside from their storming opening UCC never ignited, and their attack, in particular, was a blunt entity. Whether the presence of a large home following weighed them down is a moot point, but the longer the match progressed the more apparent it was that frustration had entered their play.
The first half was divided into distinct periods of dominance for both sides. UCC controlled that first quarter and amassed a tally of 1-3. The goal arrived from a penalty, UCC goalkeeper Eanna Martin trekking forward to slam a shot to the net.
The home side had begun well with Shane O'Neill outstanding in defence but then it all unravelled.
UCD suddenly sprang to life and after McCarthy pointed in the 16th minute they reeled off seven more on the trot. McCarthy became a thorn for the UCC defence and UCD were more accomplished in their play. Paul O'Brien scored in first-half injury time for UCC but, at 0-8 to 1-4, the tides had truly turned in UCD's favour.
The second half was a fragmented affair, with the hurling never really opening up. UCD were pegged back on a couple of occasions but it was always only to level terms as the teams traded points.
Then UCD began to impose their physical superiority, Andrew Smith and Stephen Nolan hitting points.
Shane O'Sullivan converted a late free but UCD repelled the closing attacks to smash the hosts' Fitzgibbon Cup dreams for this year.
UCD: M White; D Prendergast, M Fitzgerald, E Campion; S Cummins, E Ryan, D Fitzgerald; B Barry (0-2, frees), D Hayes; PJ Nolan, E O'Gorman (0-2); B Murphy (0-1); A Smith (0-2, frees), J McCarthy (0-4), T Fitzgerald. Subs: J O'Connor (0-1) for Nolan (half-time), S Nolan (0-1) for T Fitzgerald (52 mins), P Ormonde for Ryan (56 mins), P McIntyre for Murphy (62 mins).
UCC: E Martin (1-0, penalty); D Cody, J Tennyson, D McSweeney; S O'Neill, P Murray, K Hartnett; S O'Sullivan (0-1, free), T Kenny; R Conway (0-1), M Rice, M Harrington (0-1); J Fitzpatrick (0-4, three frees), M O'Connor (0-1, sideline), P O'Brien (0-1). Subs: G O'Connor for Conway (37 mins).
Referee: S Roche (Tipperary).
