Ross ready for final
U.C.C. pip Wexford-powered D.C.U.
ROSS DONOHOE may have been heavily outnumbered by fellow Wexford hurlers in Carriganore on Tuesday, but the Buffers Alley clubman was the one left standing at the end after U.C.C. qualified for the Fitzgibbon Cup final with a last-gasp extra-time victory over D.C.U. (2-17 to 0-22).
There was high drama at the finish of what was, in truth, a game of average quality despite the serious intensity, when the Leesiders were awarded a penalty at the death.
They trailed by two points when their star performer, defender Chris O’Leary, stepped up to try to beat Crossabeg-Ballymurn’s Oisín Foley.
The netminder did get his stick to the shot that went straight down the middle, but it had sufficient power to make it over the line and spark wild celebrations among the U.C.C. contingent shortly after when the final whistle of Waterford referee Thomas Walsh was blown.
Donohoe had been introduced as a substitute in the half-forward line in the 53rd minute, and he made one vital catch in a game that was close throughout.
He had replaced Waterford’s Colm Roche, but a cut close to his left eye forced the winner of a Ryan Cup medal with Maynooth last year out of the action again during extra-time.
Oisín Foley was one of five Wexford players in action for D.C.U. who ultimately paid a heavy price for their inability to put U.C.C. away even though they were slightly ahead at several stages.
His brother, Pádraig, lined out at right half-back, while Aaron Maddock (St. Martin’s) started at left corner-back and later moved to midfield before being replaced by Kilkenny’s Darren Mullen near the end of normal time.
Damien Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien) started at midfield and scored an early point for his side, and he was later deployed in a sweeping role across the halfback line.
Rory O’Connor (St. Martin’s) was the fifth Slaneysider in the losers’ line-up, contributing three points from play on an evening when Kerry’s Shane Conway was in fantastic form for the winners.
The D.C.U. squad also featured Darren Byrne (Blackwater), whose absence from the action was a huge surprise to this onlooker, as well as James Henebery (Faythe Harriers), Harry and Joe O’Connor (St. Martin’s), while James Donoghue (Blackwater) was a selector.
U.C.C. led by 1-8 to 0-10 at halftime, and a late free from D.C.U’s James Bergin ensured extra-time (0-16 to 1-13).
The Glasnevin college had edged in front (0-19 to 1-15) at the ten-minute break, and they looked to have done enough when Dublin’s Chris Crummey - who had been very wasteful from long-range shots earlier - powered forward to leave them clear by 0-22 to 1-17.
Disaster struck for them at the death though, sparking joy for Donohoe and his colleagues, after a contentious penalty decision went in favour of U.C.C. substitute Seán Hayes.
The final will take place in Carriganore on Saturday afternoon when the opposition will be provided by the Aaron Gillane-powered Mary Immaculate from Limerick.
They beat N.U.I.G. by 1-18 to 0-18 in Cusack Park, Ennis, on Thursday, and there will be one Fitzgibbon medal winging its way to Wexford regardless of the outcome since their squad includes Alan Walsh from St. James’ who played in the full-back line in some of the earlier rounds.
Meanwhile, there was disappointing news for Martin O’Connor of HWH-Bunclody and his U.C.D. team-mates when they lost to St. Mary’s (Belfast) in the Sigerson Cup semi-final in Mallow on Saturday by 0-10 to 0-7.
The young Wexford defender had injured his hamstring while training with the college on Monday and, having lined out in the previous rounds at left corner-back, he was a big loss in their defeat.
O’Connor was the last Wexford man standing in the Sigerson, with St. Mary’s now taking on U.C.C. in the final tomorrow (Wednesday).
The Cork students accounted for N.U.I.G. in a high-scoring semi-final in Mallow on Sunday.