UCC 1-19 NUIG 0-15
UCC are looking irresistible at the moment.
They didn’t even need to beat NUI Galway on Thursday afternoon with their progression to the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup quarter finals already assured, they wanted to though and when they’re in that kind of mood, they’re next to unstoppable.
And from the word go, the Galway men couldn’t lay a glove on them.
The Cork college picked up from where they left off in this final group game with Shane Kingston getting the sliotar flying with a well taken goal after just three minutes.
That sent them on their way and Tom Kingston’s charges weren’t long taking off.
Looking in their elements on the Páirc Uí Chaoimh 4G pitch, their slick forward unit which includes Tipperary’s Mark Kehoe, Kerry’s gifted talent Shane Conway and Cork’s outrageously skilful Mark Coleman – the lethal finishers tacked on points with ridiculous ease and this game was as good as over by half-time.
Indeed, in this type of form, it’s hard to see any team in this competition keeping it into them.
In contrast, the NUI Galway forward line were rigid and out hurled on the other end of the field. Their star man Conor Whelan was well marshalled by the sticky and skilful Niall O’Leary while his namesake Chris at half back and their goalkeeper Jack Barry set up countless attacks with their lethal distribution.
With the delivery inviting, Kerry’s Shane Conway made hay. The elusive, sharp and fleet-footed Kerry man was too clever for the opposition on countless occasions and this first half point, where he leaves a man for dead before slotting over just sums him up.
Deadly.
Indeed, that man Conway was a joy to watch the whole game long on the brilliant stream provided by Electric Ireland and he used that clever tap down on numerous occasions.
Hurlers often use that trick because it releases the pressure of being pulled for catching the ball three times.
The score of the day though, was undoubtedly Mark Coleman’s down the left hand side. This was the Blarney man’s second in a fine display at half forward and it summed up the game.
UCC too slick, UCC too good.
The Galway lads meanwhile, are relying on a beaten UL to do them a favour against UCD in the game which throws in later on this evening.
