The potent attacking arsenal available to UCC was rolled out for all to see as they overcame the shock of an early Cork IT goal to rout their Cork rivals in the Sigerson Cup at the Mardyke today.

John Corkery's 10th minute goal for Cork IT - finising off a sweet attacking move with aplomb - was the wake-up call the hosts and favourites required to unload their impressive artillery of potent talent up front.

Conor Cox is being eyed in Kerry as a potential senior championship bolter for 2015 and certainly his ability to find the range should see him wear the green and gold at some stage this spring and summer. But for the time being, UCC are the primary beneficiaries of his collection of talents.

He claimed nine points in this game, five from play. Points from his Kingdom colleague Paul Geaney and Luke Connolly of Nemo Rangers were quickly followed by a poacher's finish from corner forward Tom Hickey, another Kingdom attacker in waiting.

Cox added a pointed free in the 22nd minute - and from being three points down after ten minutes, UCC had suddenly catapulted themselves into a three-point lead before half-time.

Not even a black card for Brian O'Driscoll after 19 minutes could upset UCC's momentum - Sean White of Clonakilty provided an impressive deputy.

Cork IT were shell-shocked, and understandably so. Their early hustle and intensity augured well for their chances of an upset - centre back Brendan O'Sullivan (Valentia) and midfielder Killian O'Conor from Mallow were assured in the central channels while Corkery and Donal Og Hodnett seemed to be having some joy in attack.

But trailing 1-6 to 1-3 with five minutes left in the first period, it was about to get worse, and Legion's Shaun Keane rose highest from a free that dropped short to fist a second UCC goal. Moments later, captain Tomas Clancy (Fermoy) surged up the right flank to add another, and give UCC a commanding 2-8 to 1-3 half-time advantage.

An early second-half goal from Conor Dorman and a pointed free from Cox put UCC in the box seat at 3-9 to 1-3. There was only five minutes of the second half gone, but you could stick a fork in this one - it was done.

UCC rang the changes but the one constant was Cox's economy in possession. Whether off left or right, he was finding his range with nonchalant ease. Not that Cork IT threw in the towel.

To their credit, they kept the tempo high, but as UCC went into declaration mode, they dropped nine and ten players back behind the ball, allowing Cork IT only one real goal chance - and that was well deflected to safety by keeper Micheal A Martin.

In the end a handy first round passage for Billy Morgan's outfit - tougher tests surely lie ahead.

Scorers for UCC: C. Cox (0-9, four frees); T Hickey (1-1); S Keane (1-1), , C Dorman (1-0 each); T. Clancy (0-2), L. Connolly, P. Geaney (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork IT: J Corkery (1-1), D Og Hodnett (free) and B O'Sullivan (0-2 each), M Vaughan (0-1)

UCC: M Martin (Nemo Rangers), F McNamara (Austin Stacks), J Maguire (Listowel), D Culhane (Ballylonford); C Dorman (Bishopstown), B O'Driscoll (Tadhg MacCartaigh), T Clancy, capt (Fermoy); I Maguire (St Finbarr's), G. O'Sullivan (Listry); S Keane (Legion), L Connolly (Nemo Rangers), S. Kiely (Ballincollig); T Hickey (Desmonds), P. Geaney (Dingle), C. Cox (Listowel).

Subs: S White for O'Driscoll (black card, 19 mins); D Harrington (Adrigole) for Geaney (37); E. O Conchuir (Gaeltacht) for Kiely (40); P. O'Connor (Legion) for Culhane (48); J Davis (Douglas) for Clancy (50); A O'Donovan (Nemo Rgs) for Keane (57)

CORK IT: D Hanrahan (Douglas); S Cahill (Mountcollins), TJ Brosnan (Newmarket), P. O'Sullivan (Valentia); P. Crowley (Skibbereen), B. O'Sullivan (Valentia), D. Leahy (Arravale Rvs, Tipperary); K. O'Connor (Mallow), D. Tracey (St Kieran's, Limerick); S O'Flynn (Fr Sheehys, Tipp), J. O'Connor (Boherbue), C. Jordan (Austin Stacks); B O'Mahony (Conakilty), D Og Hodnett|(Skibbereen), J Corkery (Aghabullogue).

Subs: M Vaughan (Millstreet) for O'Connor (half time); R Whelton (Castlehven) for Leahy (37); M Taylor (Mallow) for Crowley (37); A O'Connor (Knocknagree) for O'Mahony (47); D Daly (St Mary's) for Treacy (51); C. Flanagan (Clyda Rvs) for Brosnan (inj, 55)

Referee: D O'Mahoney (Tipperary).