University Limerick 0-16 Limerick IT 1-13:THOUGH THE drama of last season's final between these Limerick arch-rivals was not equalled, this opening-round salvo between them in the Fitzgibbon Cup at Plassey produced an exciting finish which ended all square.

LIT manager Davey Fitzgerald did not hide his disappointment: “It was a game we should have won. It was tough, hard, hurling.”

Indeed, for long stages his side had the advantage and when Joe Canning blasted a goal 13 minutes into the second half it had them 1-11 to 0-7 in the clear.

They seemed to be coasting, but patience paid off for UL who clawed their way back thanks mainly to the accuracy of Clare’s Conor McGrath who scored 11 of their points, with Bill Beckitt scoring two and substitute Mike Heffernan on target with a superb over the shoulder effort.

But the game was all about the return of Canning to the LIT side – he missed out last season – and while he missed two first-half frees, he more than compensated with the crucial goal and he also forced a superb save from UL goalkeeper Thomas Lowry.

LIT led 0-6 to 0-2 at the interval with UL’s only point from play coming from Beckitt and it was he who levelled matters four minutes from the end. Canning and McGrath exchanged points before the finish.

UL: T Lowry; P Stapleton, M Walsh (0-1), K Fox; J Gallagher, B Bulger, M Walsh (0-1); S Golden, P Maher; B Beckitt (0-2), C Donnellan, J Coen; J Regan, P Kelly, C McGrath (0-11, 8f, 1 65). Subs: M Heffernan (0-1) for Regan (40 mins); L Markham for Gallagher (43), T O’Brien for Donnellan (53).

LIT: A Fahy; E Glynn, R McCarthy, B Glynn; J Hayes (0-1), J O’Keeffe, P O’Brien; P Browne, (0-1), S Lambert (0-1); S O’Brien (0-1), S Collins (0-2), E Ryan; C McInerney (0-1), J Canning (1-5, 2f, 1 65), C O’Connell (0-1). Sub: C Madden for O’Connell (59).

In the next round – scheduled for next Wednesday (Feb 8th) – NUI Galway will meet Dublin IT; GMIT clash with UCC and UCD take on Cork IT.