University College Cork produced a stunning performance at the Mardyke last night to reach the final of the students European Cup final. UCC overran the visiting English team, Harper Adams, with 10 tries, five in each half.
The visitors had some vociferous support but they could never match UCC. Joey Sheahan set the ball rolling with an early try, Niall Kenneally added another shortly afterwards and he scored again after Aidan O'Shea and Brian Cahill had put UCC into an unassailable half-time lead of 31-0. Brian O'Mahony kicked three conversions.
The dominant trend continued in the second period when Mick Riordan, Jerry Flannery, Colin Healy (2) and O'Mahony, who also kicked four conversions, added tries for a comprehensive win. The Shropshire side scored a consolation try in the 65th when Alistair Barron went over and Craig Ingram kicked the conversion.
UCC: C Healy; N Kenneally, P Barry, A O'Shea, D Holt; B O'Mahony, P Stringer; A McSweeney, J Flannery, M Ross, B Cahill, J Fitzgerald (capt), J Sheahan, D Lane, T Cahill. Replacements: F McKenna for Sheahan (50 mins), M Nathan for Flannery (57 mins), G Murray for McSweeney (62 mins), L Twomey for Kenneally (65 mins), G Fuller and H Casey for P Barry and P Stringer (69 mins).
Harper Adams: M Turney; A Barrow, P Rennison, B Tyrell, C Leather; T Powell (capt), S Bernard; A Burns, J Dunlop, C Ingram, G Taylor, M Desborough, E Whitehead, R Binning, M Bland. Replacements: P Scott-Priestley for T Binning (40 mins), E Moore for Powell (52 mins). Referee: B Smith (Munster).
