On Friday night, Cork reclaimed the Canon O’Brien Cup with a 6-24 to 0-13 victory over UCC at the Mardyke. After narrowly losing by a point last year, Pat Ryan’s side ensured there was no doubt this time. Cork led 1-11 to 0-5 at halftime, with Shane Kingston contributing 1-7, including a superbly taken goal.

The Rebels extended their lead after the break as Kingston converted a penalty following a foul on Alan Walsh, bringing his tally to 2-8. While UCC enjoyed a brief purple patch midway through the second half, scoring four points in a row through Darragh Flynn and others, they never truly threatened a goal. Cork’s defence, led by Cormac O’Brien and Conor Cahalane, held firm throughout.

Cork’s midfield, anchored by Brian Roche, impressed, while Diarmuid Healy caused problems with his powerful running from wing-forward. The Rebels emptied their bench in the second half, adding further attacking firepower. Robbie Cotter, Brian Hayes, and Declan Dalton found the net late, ensuring a resounding victory.

UCC goalkeeper Paudie O’Sullivan produced several outstanding saves to deny Cork additional first-half goals, but the gap at the break was already nine points. UCC will now turn their focus to the Fitzgibbon Cup.

 

Scorers for Cork: S Kingston 2-8 (1-0 penalty, 0-5 f), R Cotter 2-1, B Hayes, D Dalton 1-0 each, P Power, T O’Mahony (0-1 f, 0-1 65) 0-2 each, A Walsh, C Cahalane, D Healy, B Roche, E Carey, G Millerick, P Horgan (0-1 f), D Fitzgibbon, L Meade 0-1 each.

Scorers for UCC: B Cunningham 0-5 (0-4 f), F Coleman, D Flynn, W Buckley (0-1 f) 0-2 each, B Keating, E O’Leary, D McSweeney 0-1 each.

CORK: B Saunderson; S O’Donoghue, N O’Leary, E Roche; C Cahalane, R Downey (capt), C O’Brien; T O’Mahony, B Roche; D Healy, S Barrett, S Kingston; P Power, A Walsh, J Cahalane.

Subs: E Carey for O’Brien, L Meade for Power, D Fitzgibbon for Downey (all half-time), G Millerick for C Cahalane (35), B Hayes for Barrett, P Horgan for Kingston (both 39), R Cotter for J Cahalane, D Dalton for Walsh (both 42).

UCC (Cork unless stated): P O’Sullivan (Fr O’Neills); S Daly (Randal Óg), C Doolan (St Finbarr’s), M Mullaney (Stradbally, Waterford); E Guinane (Valley Rovers), J Dwyer (Ballincollig), T Wilk (Cobh); E Twomey (St Finbarr’s), D Flynn (Ballygiblin); B Cunninghan (St Finbarr’s), B Keating (Ballincollig), E Stokes (Doon, Limerick); D Cremin (Midleton), F Coleman (Blackrock), W Buckley (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: O O’Regan (Erin’s Own) for Daly, C McCarthy (Blarney) for Guinane, E O’Leary (Glen Rovers) for Cremin (all half-time), M Howell (Douglas) for Dwyer, D McSweeney (Blarney) for Flynn (both 42), E Kirby (Blarney) for Coleman (44), C Geary (Youghal) for Mullaney, C O’Mahony (Ballygunner, Waterford) for Stokes (both 47), J McCarthy (St Finbarr’s) for O’Sullivan (49), Flynn for Keating, K Lyons (Ballygarvan) for Cunningham (both 51).

Referee: C O’Regan (Ballyhea).