UCC proved too strong for Athlone IT in tonight's Sigerson Cup clash at the Mardyke.

The hosts ran out 36-point winners (7-25 to 2-4) over the Westmeath college to advance straight to the quarter-final stage.

Paudie Clifford, a brother of Young Footballer of the Year David, netted a hat-trick of goals for the Cork outfit who had led by 3-16 to 1-2 at the break.

Despite the heavy defeat, Athlone IT will have a second chance to prove themselves following the introduction of a new 'backdoor' system for all sides beaten in the opening round. 

They will play DIT, who were defeated by UL in tonight's other tie at Grangegorman, next week, while UCC can look forward to the last eight.

UCC - E O’Brien; L O’Donovan, K Flahive, G O’Sullivan (0-1); J McEntee (0-1), D O’Brien, C Kiely (0-2); J Kennedy, P Lucey; C Horgan (2-1), S O’Shea (0-3, 1f), P Clifford (3-1); G Murphy (1-4), K Spillane (0-5), E Courtney (0-3). Subs: B Begley for D O’Brien, M Flood for L O’Donovan, A Barry for J Kennedy, C Geaney (1-1) for S O’Shea, D Shaw (0-2) for K Spillane, R Buckley (0-1) for C Horgan.

Athlone IT - C Haslam; D Healy, D Carroll, E Tully; E O’Connor, D McManus (0-2), J Smith; K Maguire, G Horan (0-2); S Keogh, R Brady (1-0), D Mullan; R Forde, B Berry (1-0), S Maher. Subs: C McDonagh for J Smith, C O’Dea for S Keogh, T Lennon for D Mullan.

Referee - R Moloney.

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