User:rorynoonanDate:18/04/2013Time:08:16:53Edition:18/04/2013Thuthurecho180413Page:56Color:
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Evening Echo
AWARDS: Sarah is Evening Echo winner for March: P52
SPORT
SOCCER: United have to dig deep to earn away point: P49
RUGBY: Munster’s Euro preparation spot on says Hurley: P46
Dual stars now target Kingdom FIVE of the Cork minor football team to face Kerry in Páirc Uí Rinn tomorrow night (7pm) are hoping to repeat their hurling success last week.
Recipients of the UCC Sports Star Awards 2012/2013 from Olympian Sonia O’Sullivan. Pictured with the awardees are Paula Cogan of the River Lee Hotel (sponsors), President of UCC Dr Michael Murphy, Sonia O’Sullivan, UCC’s director of sport and physical activity, Christine O’Donovan and Marcelle McAuliffe of Bank of Ireland (sponsors). Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
Sonia presents UCC awards SIX of Cork’s most promising sports stars were among the 10 students honoured by UCC at last night’s annual UCC Sports Awards at the River Lee Hotel in Cork. Cork hurler Conor Lehane who won the hurling award is set to be a key player for the Rebels in the Munster Championship this Summer. The awards were presented by Sonia O’Sullivan, who has been confirmed to run in this evening’s Ballintotis ‘4’ Mile Road Race which is the first big evening fixture on the busy Cork road racing programme. The Cobh athlete presently on a break back on Leeside, will be a popular visitor to
a race which attracted 736 runners last year. James McCarthy from the promoting club East Cork A.C will be looking the win at the venue for the fourth year in a row. This evening’s race begins at 8pm. UCC SPORTS STAR AWARDS
Athletics: Clare Fitzgerald, (Tralee, Kerry); Basketball: Christian Anon; (La Coruna, Spain); Gaelic football: Peter Crowley, (Killorglin, Kerry); Hockey: Peter Catchpole, (Waterfall, Cork); Hockey: Miriam Crowley, (Bishopstown, Cork). Hurling: Conor Lehane, Midleton, Cork); Orienteering: Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan, (Ballycotton, Cork); Rugby: Alison Miller, (Portlaoise, Laois); Soccer: Josh O’Shea, (Cloyne, Cork); Soccer: Patrice Kearney, (Fair Hill, Cork).
The Rebels have five dual players starting — Killian O’Connor, Kieran Histon, Kevin O’Neill, Rickard Cahalane and Michael Cahalane — from the hurling outfit that defeated Clare last Thursday. Newcestown’s Trevor Horgan is also on the bench while Kilmichael’s Peter Kelleher is injured. O’Connor and captain Stephen Cronin (Nemo) are the only two survivors from the Cork team which lost to Tipp in last year’s minor semi-final. With Tipp dominating the minor scene over the past two seasons this will be Cork’s first clash against Kerry since the 2010 provincial final when Brian Hurley kicked the winning goal. His brother Michael is involved with the panel but ruled out tomorrow night through a broken thumb. The attack features Republic of Ireland international Conor O’Driscoll (Mizen Rovers) at right corner-forward. Ilen’s Jack Bushe is in the other corner. In one of the quirks of the system Cork would have an easier path to the Munster decider if they lost. Victory for
FOOTBALL By ÉAMONN MURPHY Ephie Fitzgerald’s team will see them travel to face Tipp in the semi-final without the safety net of the back-door. The defeated side will get a second chance and then be guaranteed a place in the All-Ireland quarter-final even if they lose the Munster final. This was the scenario last year with the Kingdom making the All-Ireland semis despite two defeats to Tipperary. Kerry feature five of the Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne team which won the Corn Uí Mhuirí last month, including award-winning dancer Tomás Ó Sé. At left corner-forward is Templenoe’s Killian Spillane, son of four-time All-Ireland medallist Tom. CORK: A Casey (Kiskeam); M McSweeney (Newcestown), K Histon (Cobh), N Hayes (Kilmacabea); K O’Neill (Glenville), S Cronin (Nemo Rangers), R Cahalane (Sliabh Rua); P O’Neill (Ballincollig), R Harkin (Mallow); D O’Driscoll (Clann na nGael), K O’Connor (Mallow), K Cremin (Boherbue); C O’Driscoll (Mizen Rovers), M Cahalane (Bandon), J Bushe (Ilen Rovers). Subs: Colm O'Driscoll (Castlehaven), Dylan Quinn (St Finbarr's), Seán White (Clonakilty),
Dragons game crucial for Reds fringe players MUNSTER are starting to come into form at the right time with back-to-back big performances, ZULWHV 6($1 0F&$57+< Tomorrow night a totally different 15, from the one that faced Harlequins, will face Dragons at Rodney Parade, 7pm, and one of the players who played a starring role against Leinster last week-
RUGBY end, Ian Keatley, says it is important to ensure Munster keep their form going. “I think we have started to show a good bit of form now in the last three weeks. “It was tough to take losing at the weekend, but looking back on
it we did a lot of good stuff and played some very good rugby.” After the highs of the last two weeks, it is hard for the players to prepare for a dead-rubber game. However, the game is important for those who haven’t yet signed contract extensions and for them, this game could represent one of their last chances to impress.
“Obviously, the main focus for the season now is the semi-final, but there are still a lot of guys here with a lot to prove. There are still contracts up for grabs. They have got to go out and prove that they are up to the standard. They have to grab their own careers by the hand.” ● More rugby P45, 46.
Conor Kingston (Douglas), Patrick O’Brian (Bandon), Richard O'Sullivan (Kilmacabea), Trevor Horgan (Newcestown), Aidan Moynihan (Canovee), Mark Prendergast (Ballincollig). KERRY: S Ryan, ST Dillon, C Ó Lúing, P Ó Conchúir, M Flaherty, G Horan, B Sugrue, É Ó Conchúir, B O’Sullivan, D Foran, J Savage, T Ó Sé, C Keane, S O’Connor, K Spillane.
● See P52-53.
Cork’s dual minor player Killian O’Connor.
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