Gardiner steals in to snatch victory

Sigerson Cup quarter-finals/Cork IT 0-11; DCU 1-7: An injury-time point by Cork hurler John Gardiner helped CIT reach their …

Sigerson Cup quarter-finals/Cork IT 0-11; DCU 1-7:An injury-time point by Cork hurler John Gardiner helped CIT reach their first Sigerson Cup semi-final in a dramatic tie in Cork yesterday.

DCU seemed to have forced extra time when centre back Michael Hannon joined the attack to take a Paul Casey pass and score the only goal three minutes from the end to level matters at 0-10 to 1-7.

CIT played with a strong wind in the first half and led 0-5 to 0-3, despite missing three goal-scoring opportunities.

Points by Ciarán Murphy and Ronan Curran brought DCU level at five apiece at the break and when Seán Johnston put them in front after 33 minutes the odds favoured the visitors.

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However, three Brian Sheehan points restored CIT's advantage and a DJ Fleming free opened up a three-point lead to set up a dramatic finale.

CIT: K Murphy; M Prout, R Megeean, P Sheehan; A Sheehy, P Nealon, E O'Connor; N O'Riordan, D Breen (0-1); D O'Connor, R Keane, J Gardiner (0-2); DJ Fleming (0-3, 0-1 free), B Sheehan (0-4, 0-3 frees), A Morgan (0-1). Subs: D Hurley for O'Riordan, B Dennehy for Keane.

DCU: S Cluxton; B McCormack, R McCabe, B O'Reilly; P Casey, M Hannon (1-0), P McGinnitty; E Lennon, B Sheehan; M Cooper, B Cullen, R Carroll (0-1); C Murphy (0-4, 0-2 frees), J Keirney, S Johnston (0-2). Subs: T Stephens for McCormack, R Brennan for McGinnitty, K Hamilton for Carroll.

Referee: B White (Tipperary).