Lehane the star as UCC make it two in a row | Brian Barry

UCC 2-17Mary I 2-12Paul O'Connor smiled down on UCC as they won a second consecutive Fitzgibbon Cup title in Galway on Saturday.The former manager passed away in September after guiding the college to the centenary Fitzgibbon Cup last year. UCC GAA Officer, John Grainger spoke of his respect for the team to get over the loss: “It speaks volumes about them as they have honoured his memory brilliantly.”O'Connor played for UCC during the 1980s winning five consecutive Fitzgibbons between 1982 and 1986, captaining the side in 1986. He was recognised for his achievements when named on the 'Fitzgibbon Team of the Century' in a banquet in the Devere Hall last year. He also masterminded five successes as manager to add to the proud tradition of the famous 'skull and crossbones' in the Fitzgibbon Cup.UCC entered Friday’s semi-final as underdogs against a fancied UCD team managed by Nicky English. However a strong second half showing helped them pull away from the Dubliners. Four unanswered points from UCC, after the teams were tied at 0-11 apiece, helped ease the pressure and Waterford's Brian O'Sullivan ensured the victory with a late goal to leave the final score 1-20 to 0-15. However there was little time for celebration as they were left with only 24 hours to prepare for the final.Speaking after the semi-final, UCC manager Eddie Enright, who captained UCC to the title in 1998, said “we always aimed for the weekend to try and peak. Hopefully we haven’t peaked yet. It was a good performance, I am delighted with the workrate and delighted with the space they created and hopefully we can continue it tomorrow.”The Leesiders went into the final against the Limerick side as favourites. The two sides had previously met in the group stages of the competition, with a late Luke O’Farrell goal securing a draw for Mary I. However UCC entered the final with the experience of numerous members of the panel having a Fitz medal already in their pockets from last year.Mary I received a massive boost ahead of their first ever final as Limerick player Declan Hannon was cleared to play after being shown a red card in their semi-final win over Waterford IT.The game started in ideal conditions with both teams looking to gain a strong foothold in the game. But the first half was a cagey affair, barring some fine individual scores including a solo effort from William Egan. Both sides traded points, but neither was able to build enough momentum to establish a sizeable lead. The Leesiders went in 0-9 to 0-7 up at half time, courtesy of six Conor Lehane points (four from placed balls), as well as points from Paul Haughney, Dan McCormack and the aforementioned effort by Egan.Although the first half was a tight affair, UCC seemed to be threatening to pull away, and the floodgates looked open on 39 minutes when Lehane fired to the net, but Mary I responded immediately with a goal of their own through John Conlon.A goal from the impressive Séamus Harnedy was the final nail in the coffin, as the big wing-forward buried it into the top of the net from a tight angle. Despite a late goal by Conor Cooney, UCC were able to hold on and make it a second consecutive Fitzgibbon Cup for UCC.The Freshers play their All-Ireland Final on Wednesday against NUIG as they bid to seal a double-double for the college, after winning both Fitz and Fresher Championships in 2012.The months of hard training has paid off for the students, many of whom now embark on an inter-county season. The college will enter the competition next year hot in pursuit of their first three-in-a-row since O'Connor managed the team to a hat-trick in 1998. His memory lives on.UCC: D McCarthy (Cork - captain); S Maher (Tipperary), D Glynn (Kilkenny), K Murphy (Cork); J Barry (Tipperary), D Fives (Waterford), W Egan 0-2; P Haughney 0-1, B Murray; S Harnedy 1-1 (all Cork), D McCormack 0-1 (Tipperary), Brian Lawton (Cork); B O'Sullivan 0-2 (Waterford), C Lehane 1-9, 7fs, B Harnett (both Cork).Subs: Barry Lawton (Cork) for Murray (46), A Breen 0-1 (Limerick) for McCormack (50), W Griffin (Limerick) for O'Sullivan (58).Mary I: S Nolan (Tipperary); C Fennessy (Clare), R O'Donnell (Limerick), A Ryan (Tipperary); J Wall (Cork), D Hannon (Limerick), Eanna Hogan (Tipperary); C Galvin (Clare), N O'Meara (Tipperary); B O'Halloran (Waterford), W Hickey (Limerick), C Cooney 1-3, 1-0f (Galway); S Curran 0-3 (Tipperary), J Conlon 1-4, 1-3fs (Clare), L O'Farrell 0-2 (Cork).Subs: Eoin Hogan (Tipperary) for Hickey (50), L Considine (Limerick) for Eanna Hogan (55).