McGrath Cup see's all three Cork sides advance to semi-final stage
All three Cork sides in action in the McGrath Cup advanced to the semi-final stage this afternoon with Tipperary also reaching the last-four of the Munster football competition.
Colm O'Neill made a return to action for Cork for the first time since last April, and led by example as the Rebels earned a 2-14 to 0-7 win over Clare at Pairc Ui Rinn.
The Ballyclough clubman skippered the side and bagged 2-4 with Conor Counihan fielding a somewhat experimental side for this clash.
O'Neill punched home his side's first goal in the 26th minute, with Cork leading by 1-5 to 0-3 at the break.
Gary Brennan contributed three points for Clare on the restart, but Counihan strengthened his side in the second half with Michael Shields, Pearse O'Neill and Noel O'Leary among those sprung from the bench.
O'Neill's second goal came seven minutes from the end, as he slotted a right-footed shot past Joe Hayes.
Cork will face CIT in the semi-finals, after the Leeside students overcame their IT Tralee counterparts by 2-16 to 2-5 at the CIT Sportsgrounds.
Reigning Sigerson Cup champions UCC received a timely boost ahead of their midweek Higher Education Senior Football League Division 1 final against IT Carlow, after a comfortable 1-19 to 0-10 win over Limerick at Michael Neville Park in Rathkeale.
A Mark Collins goal was the difference at the interval as UCC held a 1-5 to 0-5 lead. The contributions of Collins (1-3), Paul Geaney (0-4), Kevin O'Driscoll, Peter Crowley and Niall Daly helped UCC break 1-10 to 0-5 ahead inside eight minutes of the restart.
UCC never looked back and now face Tipperary in the semi-final next weekend. The Premier County had a comprehensive 4-16 to 0-6 victory over Waterford IT at Clonmel Sportsfield today.
A brace of first quarter goals from Barry Grogan set John Evans' charges off to a tremendous start. The hosts led by 2-8 to 0-3 at the interval, with Grogan completing his hat-trick inside seven minutes of the restart, as they moved 14 points clear.
Tipperary failed to ease up with substitute Michael Quinlivan netting their fourth goal as they coasted to a 22-point win.
MCGRATH CUP QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS:
Cork 2-14 Clare 0-7, Pairc Ui Rinn
Limerick 0-10 UCC 1-19, Michael Neville Park
Tipperary 4-16 Waterford IT 0-6, Clonmel Sportsfield
Cork IT 2-16 IT Tralee 2-5, CIT Sportsground
