Sport

McCarthy takes heart but UCC advance

WATERFORD CRYSTAL CUP/UCC 0-19 Limerick 2-9 : BELEAGUERED Limerick manager Justin McCarthy declined to comment on the row that…

Mon Jan 25 2010 - 00:00

WATERFORD CRYSTAL CUP/UCC 0-19 Limerick 2-9: BELEAGUERED Limerick manager Justin McCarthy declined to comment on the row that his ripped the county apart after his new-look side lost out to UCC in an entertaining McGrath Cup game at Kilmallock yesterday.

The manager said: “I am pleased with how we played. The attitude of the players was excellent and we now await the start of the league campaign.”

Indeed McCarthy might have got off to a winning start had his youthful and inexperienced side not squandered two great goal-scoring opportunities, one in each half and on both occasions Tom O’Brien from Bruree failed to capitalise on the chances created.

UCC settled better and had the opening three points before Thomas O’Brien from Patrickswell had Limerick’s first score, a well-taken point after eight minutes

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Pat Barry and Shane Burke moved UCC into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead but by the end of the first quarter only three points separted them.

UCC led 0-7 to 0-4 when Limerick struck a good patch with a pointed free by Paudie McNamara after 22 minutes and this was followed three minutes later by a goal when Grame Mulcahy beat Anthony Nash to give Limerick a single point lead.

But the Cork side finished the half better and led 0-11 to 1-5 at the interval.

Limerick substitute Alan O’Connor scored his side’s second goal five minutes from the end to narrow the gap to three points.

UCC: A Nash; C O’Sullivan, R Foley, C O’Driscoll; S Cotter, K Harnett, A Quilligan; M Cahill (0-4), B O’Sullivan; T Og Murphy (0-1), R White, P Barry (0-1); S Burke 0-5, D Honan 0-2, S Moylan (0-6, (5f). Subs: S Corry for Murphy.

LIMERICK: B Hennessy; D Lynch, D Kennedy, K O’Rourke; L O’Dwyer, D Madden, A Brennan; D Meade, T Fleming; T O’Brien (0-4, 2f), T O’Brien (Bruree), C Mullane (0-2); G Mulcahy (1-0), P McNamara (0-2, 1f), R McKeogh (0-1). Subs: A O’Connor (1-0) for Madden, 25, P Harty for McKeogh, M Ryan for T O’Brien (Bruree).

Referee: M Wadding, (Waterford).

Tipperary meet Clare tomorrow evening in Borrisoleigh with the winner playing Waterford in the semi-final next weekend. In the other semi, UCC will meet UL.