Within two years of their classic semi-final in the 1996 Sigerson Cup, UCD and UCC assembled in the lists once more, this time with largely rebuilt teams, for yesterday's first-round at Belfield. It will be cold comfort to the Cork college to have lost another cracking encounter, but they have only themselves to blame.

The main UCD contributor in all senses was Galway's Derek Savage, who put in a dazzling first-half for 1-5 of his 1-6 total, combining opportunism for a first-minute goal with excellent free-taking from his hand and some searing runs in behind a nervy Cork full-back line.

Eventually UCC shuffled the deck and the recast defence held Savage more effectively in the second half. Behind him, UCD captain and Mayo senior David Nestor had a sound match, moving dynamically in the first half to initiate some good attacks and working hard thereafter to gather ball in a more crowded and chaotic environment.

An industrious defence, in which Ian Clarke made some great relieving catches at full back and out of which Leinster panellist Barry O'Donovan carried the ball intelligently, also held up well under a great deal of pressure.

Nonetheless, UCC will have gone home with a bus-full of regrets. Throughout the second half, they led for all but four of the 30 minutes, only falling behind - albeit fatally - with less than two minutes left on the clock. Mick O'Keeffe struck with late frees to level the match before pushing the Dublin side narrowly but decisively in front.

Although he ended the day with six points from frees, clipped some immaculate deliveries in behind the UCC defence and broke the ball for Savage's goal, O'Keeffe will feel he could have done better with some of his free-taking and, in general play, he was well shadowed by Noel Murphy.

The visitors had taken a good grip on midfield through Gary Stack and Kieran Connolly and their attack delivered some well executed scores to leave them three points in front by both the 43rd and 49th minutes. With five minutes left, Eamonn Fitzmaurice scored the second of two points to push UCC a point ahead and it appeared that the UCD rally had been put down.

At the heart of the Cork challenge was some outstanding place kicking from Michael Cronin at centre forward. His nine points accurately reflect his impact on proceedings.

Cronin's first three frees wiped out the value of Savage's goal and, by the 15th minute, UCC struck back. A long ball from imposing centre back Donagh Wiseman was cleverly worked in on goal by Padraig Griffin and Tom Stack before Griffin took the return and fired it to the net.

A tendency not to take on chances eventually cost UCC dearly in the second half.

Elsewhere, UUJ were narrow winners over the Garda College, who finished with 13 players after Mark Moynihan and Cathal Sheridan were sent off. Jordanstown's Barry Duffy also got the line with a minute left.

Finally, holders Tralee struggled for some time before making sure of victory against Galway RTC, but Queen's had a comfortable win against DCU in Belfast to reach the quarter-finals.