Cadogan treble sinks UUJ in Fitzgibbon opener

UCC 5-13 2-4 UUJFitzgibbon Cup Group DUCC opened their 2017 Fitzgibbon Cup campaign in emphatic style at the Mardyke grounds last Tuesday following a commanding 5-13 to 2-4 victory over Ulster University Jordanstown. In what was a dominating performance, the College lead throughout the sixty minutes in a game which saw UCC propelled to top of the group.In the early moments UUJ pressed UCC well and were well deserved. Nicky McKeague gave UUJ an early lead from a set piece, but this lead was short lived as Rob O’Shea broke out and levelled the score just after the two minute mark. UCC pushed on from this early setback, and soon found themselves with a comfortable 3-6 to 1-3 half time lead. An Jackson McGreevy foul on Rob O’Shea saw the Carrigaline man score once again from a set-piece. Despite the forward scoring 1-7 it was Douglas’s Alan Cadogan who stole the show in the first half, with the wing forward netting himself a 1-1 in a dogmatic display. James O’Flynn also got himself on the scorecards thanks to a mistake in the UUJ defence, with the slitor passed to an unmarked O’Flynn, finding himself in an acre of space as he flung the ball well into the back of the net.UUJ, despite the dominating scoreline, were not without their chances. McKeague grabbed UUJ a real lifeline thanks to a mistake at the heart of the UCC back line. A long ball in from Kevin Rice hit the crossbar, only to fall to McKeague, who drove the slitor hard into the back of Dylan Desmond’s goal.In the second half it was show of the quality and persistence of the UCC team. Two more goals in quick succession for Alan Cadogan helped crush any calls for a fight back from the UUJ set-up. UUJ, however, stole the show late in the game thanks to a fine point hammered from range by Liam Dunphy, which showed the Offaly under 21 Star’s potential.In the end; UCC proved too much for a drilled and spirited UUJ. Full time score at the Mardyke was 5-13 to 2-4, a win which gave a much boost to Tom Kingston and his management team. Focus on returns to next Thursday’s crucial tie away to UCD, a win in which would qualify UCC for the quarter finals, and set the college on course to top their group. Teams:UCC – D Desmond; I Kenny, C Spillane, S Roche; S Kennedy, C Gleeson, R Cahalane; C O’Leary, M Breen; J Power, T Devine, G O’Brien; A Cadogan, J O’Flynn, R O’Shea. Subs: A Spillane for Power (50), M O’Connor for Cahalane, M O’Halloran for Cadogan (both 54), N Motherway (Dungourney) for O’Shea, E Gunning for Kenny (both 58). ULSTER UNIVERSITY – S Doherty; A Orchin, G Walsh, T Ó Ciarán; R Brannigan, J McGreevey, D O’Hara; J McNaughton, M Dudley; L Dunphy, K Rice, J O’Dwyer; A Dooley, N McKeague, J Connolly. Subs: J O’Connell for O’Dwyer (46), D McGuinness for Dunphy (49), T Burns for Orchin (51), P Butler for McKeague, R Gillen for McNaughton (both 58).Ref – G Quilty (Kilkenny)