Brian Hayes struck the winner as UCC edged out Cork by 1-24 to 1-23 at Mardyke this afternoon to regain Canon O’Brien Cup.

In clinching their third success in the competition, the Cork students came from behind in the second-half to hit the front for the first time through Luke Elliott and, although they fell behind again, they’d draw level before Hayes came up with his third point of the day.

Cork made the better start to the game as they led by 0-8 to 0-17 when Sean Twomey found the UCC net on 16 minutes.

The margin stood at five when Hayes got in for his side’s goal in the 22nd minute, but the points of Shane Kingston and Sam Quirke ensured that Pat Ryan’s men went on to hold a 1-13 to 1-10 lead as the heavy rain fell.

Captain Conor Lehane extended the Rebels’ lead to four in the early seconds of the restart before UCC were able to make up the ground to get back level ahead of Elliott steering them ahead.

It was nip and tuck from there until the finish, with Ben Cunningham fifth point of the afternoon putting the students ahead before Declan Dalton levelled and Hayes came up with the winner for UCC.

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