Fitzgibbon Cup: Rampant Tipperary pair help CIT take command against DCU

A Tipperary axis of All Star John O’Dwyer and Conor Hammersley was influential as title hopefuls CIT got off to a strong start.

The forward duo combined for 0-11 of the visiting team’s tally in freezing conditions at the DCU sports grounds.

It was a fine effort from the hosts and underdogs, who were tied with 14 minutes to go despite losing Peter Carroll to a red card in the third minute after the centre back was adjudged to have struck an opponent.

Eight unanswered points from 2014 finalists CIT in the final quarter ultimately secured the Cork outfit a comfortable round-one win.

Manager and former Cork defender Pat Mulcahy paid tribute to his influential Tipp men.

“John will always stand up for you when you need him to, always,” said Mulcahy. “He enjoys the big games. He seems to grow a little bit on big days, whereas others might shrink into themselves.

“John just has that little bit of personality to step up. He actually had a slight injury coming in but he came up trumps for us.

“All the lads did well and I actually thought our best player was Conor Hammersley. His work rate was phenomenal.”

CIT initially took full advantage of Carroll’s red card and moved 0-4 to 0-1 ahead though stubborn DCU were back level at 0-5 apiece after 24 minutes as they played with the wind advantage.

DCU briefly led after Kevin O’Flynn’s injury-time goal, before Hammersley struck to leave it 1-5 to 0-8 at half-time.

The third quarter was dour and error-strewn but CIT finally came good in the final quarter to pull away.

Substitute Mark Ellis began the scoring spree and O’Dwyer adding four more points, including one free from 100 yards out.

CIT: G Minihane; S Murphy, A Dennehy, T Lawrence; J Herlihy (0-1), M Russell, C Buckley; W Murphy, A Walsh; D Lordan (0-1), J Cronin (0-1), B Cooper (0-1); J O'Dwyer (0-8, 0-7 frees), C Hammersley (0-3), K Kavanagh. Subs: M Ellis (0-1) for Lorden (40 mins), J Cashman (0-1) for Russell (48 mins), P White for Kavanagh (59 mins).

DCU: C Ryan; P Gill, R Lennon, G Bennett; G Bailey, P Carroll, S Murphy; K Fitzgerald, T French; P Brehony (0-2), K O'Flynn (1-0), M Daly; D Breathnach (0-3, 0-2f), C Curran, D Staunton (0-1). Subs: P Burke for Gill (30 mins), E Smith for Curran, C Egan for O'Flynn (both 57 mins). Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).