10-man RCI put out UCC United

UCC United went down 2-1 to RCI in the Mick Mooney Cup last Sunday morning at the Farm. It was a hard-fought game played in great conditions and there was very little between the teams. However, RCI progressed into the next round because they took their chances while the College side were once again rueing their profligacy in front of goal.

RCI started brightest and had UCC united under pressure for the opening quarter hour. UCC United defended doggedly however and worked their way into the game. It was a blow then when they conceded a goal after about 30 minutes. UCC United failed to clear their lines properly from a corner and in the confusion RCI strikers were queuing up in the box to out the ball past helpless UCC keeper Romain Gosselin.

UCC United hit back in style however as from the kick-off Mark Rae played a great diagonal ball to Jamie Hepburn. He rounded the full back and slotted the ball into John Eakins who was upended in the box. Declan Jordan made his way up from the back to coolly slot the penalty beyond the RCI keeper. UCC were well worth their equaliser and the two sides went in at the break all level.

The game was nip and tuck, but UCC United gained an advantage on the hour when RCI's right sided midfielder saw red for raising his hands against an opponent. The referee was left with little option but to send the player off. It was advantage UCC but RCI dug deep and managed to steal the lead when a delicate ball over the top caught the United defence flat footed. A cool finish put RCI back in charge.

United tried in vain to get an equaliser to put the game into extra time. They came close on several occasions but RCI defended valiantly. This was exemplified most clearly by a stunning save from the RCI keeper from a long range screamer from Eakins hat had goal written all over it.

UCC United: R. Gosselin; D. Jordan, D. Kiely, D. Morrissey, L. Weeks; G. Kinsley (D. Soden), J. Hepburn (A. Gibbs), M. Rae, G. McAlester; J. Eakins, J. Tobin (G. Mannix)