UCC moved up a gear in the second half to book their final ticket: 1-20 to 0-14.

Even though UCD were always playing catch-up in this second semi-final at Carnmore, there was nothing between the sides in the first half and they turned around all-square, 0-9 apiece.

The first four points after the restart were shared but the Cork students then started to flex their muscle, reeling off four without reply to take a 0-15 to 0-11 advantage, Imokilly's Barry Lawton adding to scores from Seamus Harnedy and Conor Lehane (free).

Tipp's Noel McGrath reduced the deficit with a converted free but UCC replied instantly with two more points inside as many minutes from Lehane and Lawton to open up an unassailable five-point gap, 0-17 to 0-12.

Things went from bad to worse for the losers as Limerick's Conor Allis was red-carded and UCC responded to McGrath's free with three more scores to lead by 0-20 to 0-13 as the match went into two minutes of injury time.

UCD managed a late consolation point but even this paled into insignificance as the victors claimed an insurance goal to win by nine, outscoring their opponents by 1-11 to 0-5 in the second half.

Overall, the drama and intensity of the first semi-final was not evident as Eddie Enright's underdogs booked their place in tomorrow's all-Munster final against Mary Immaculate College.

UCC - D McCarthy; S Maher, D Glynn, K Murphy; J Barry (0-3), D Fives, W Egan; B Murray, P Haughney; S Harnedy (0-1), D McCormack, Brian Lawton (0-2); B Hartnett (0-1), B O'Sullivan (1-2), C Lehane (0-9). Subs: Barry Lawton (0-2) for Haughney, A Breen for McCormack.

UCD - B Murphy; J Dougan, W Phelan, J Gannon; B O'Carroll, R O'Carroll, S Norton; C Kenny (0-1), O Gough; C Buckley (0-1), P Murphy (0-1), D Fox (0-1); N McGrath (0-8), G Sinnott, C Allis (0-2). Subs: J Tennyson for B O'Carroll, W Walsh for Norton, M Brennan for Buckley.

Referee - A Kelly. Tweet

Most Read Stories