Kelly's late goal proves decisive

UL 1-15 UCC 0-16:PAUL KELLY'S goal five minutes from time proved to be the difference as UL exploited home advantage in this closely-fought Fitzgibbon Cup tie in Plassey yesterday. The Tipperary veteran's effort capped a spirited second-half comeback as his side recovered from a difficult mid-game period in which they lost their lead to fall seven points in arrears. However, they racked up 11 wides to UCC's five and allowed their opponents to seize the initiative early in both halves. After they took the lead the Cork team started to run at their opponents and four unanswered scores had them 0-9 to 0-6 ahead at the break.

UL ground away eight points on the trot to grab the lead. Kelly then found the net at the second attempt and Shane Bourke’s third point was UCC’s only response.

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK: T Lowry; M Malone, M Walsh, S Hickey; A Hogan, B Bugler, K Joyce; P Cronin (0-1), J Gallagher (0-1); M Boran (0-1), B Beckett (0-1), D Burke (0-1); K Morris (0-7, 0-5 frees), P Kelly (1-2), M Heffernan. Subs: P Murphy (0-1) for M Boran (40 mins), A Quinn for M Heffernan (50 mins), P Stapleton for M Malone (52 mins), T O’Brien for J Gallagher (56 mins).

UCC: D McCarthy; C O’Sullivan, P O’Loughlin, M Cahill; J Nagle, K Moran, W Egan (0-2); D Kearney (0-1), P Mahony; S Bourke (0-3), K Keehan (0-4, frees), D Brosnan (0-2); D Honan (0-2), J Cassin (0-1), G Mulcahy. Subs: P Haughney (0-1, free) for G Mulcahy, L O’Farrell for K Keehan, S Harnedy for D Kearney.

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).