Fitzgibbon Cup Semi-finals/WIT 0-24 NUIG 1-19: If yesterday's opening Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final was a stifling affair, then WIT and NUIG compensated in the second match by producing wonderfully engaging and open hurling in the Mardyke. Extra-time was needed to divide two well-equipped sides.
Ultimately WIT possessed a greater degree of balance and better bench options, but it was a tribute to NUIG's resourcefulness that the match remained competitive for so long.
WIT paraded a glittering array of intercounty stars in their ranks, and although they forged ahead on numerous occasions, they could never quite shake off the determined NUIG challenge. In essence what carried them over the line was an enviable spread of attacking contributions as different forwards emerged as match-winners at various junctures.
The problem for NUIG was the lack of attacking riches they possessed in comparison. They were reliant on the twin threat of Dara Egan and Peter O'Brien, but to be fair both players delivered in spades.
Tipperary senior Egan was an imposing frontman with razor-sharp frees and skilful points from play. O'Brien emerged as the game progressed with his pair of points in normal time and an extra-time goal that came close to winning the day.
WIT may have been strong pre-match favourites but NUIG posted the brighter start, cantering into a 0-6 to 0-3 lead. The Waterford college's much-vaunted forwards struggled for long patches, and save for an early Rory Jacob salvo and Brian Dowling's enterprising frees, they were an unproductive sextet. The thing was that those aforementioned contributions were enough to keep WIT in the hunt at 0-9 apiece midway through.
The second half stayed close initially as the teams exchanged points but in the final 10 minutes WIT started to exert authority. Tipperary man Willie Ryan landed two big points, with Jacob also converting a good free, and it looked an advantage of sufficient size to seal the deal.
NUIG's spirit, however, served them well once more as they responded. O'Brien announced himself with a pair of massive scores, and these intertwined with an Egan free to force extra-time.
The general trends of the game continued in extra-time with WIT making the running. By the midway point in the added period they led by 0-19 to 0-17, Jacob with a trio and substitute Ray McLougheney registering his first.
A WIT success now seemed a foregone conclusion but the narrative contained a further twist.
Seventy-one minutes had elapsed in total when Peter O'Brien careered through the heart of the WIT defence before scooping in a fortuitous goal. Egan tacked on a free and the plot had suddenly changed.
But it was now that WIT began to illustrate their growing stature. They closed out the game by outscoring NUIG by 0-5 to 0-1. Eoin Reid swung over two and it was Jacob and McLougheney who dispatched the match-winners.
WIT: P Brennan; K Rossiter, K Moran, A Kirwan; D Hoctor, K Brady, H Maloney; C O'Brien, M Walsh; C Phelan (0-1), A Cullinane, E Reid (0-4); B Dowling (0-5, four frees), W Ryan (0-4), R Jacob (0-8, three frees, one 65). Subs: G Mahon for O'Brien (23 mins), R McLougheney (0-2) for Dowling (49 mins), P Hartley for Cullinane (52 mins), C Parlon for Phelan (75 mins).
NUIG: D Woods; R Whyte, M Ryan, G O'Grady; J Dunphy, J Lee, D Shannon; D Kelly, S Molumphy; F Coone (0-1), D Barrett (0-1), C Lafferty (0-1); D Kenny (0-1), D Egan (0-11, eight frees), P O'Brien (1-3). Subs: K Hayes (0-1) for Coone (40 mins), C Ryan for Kenny (59 mins), T Mannion for Dunphy (70 mins), F Coone for C Ryan (78 mins).
Referee: J Sexton (Limerick).
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