The hurlers of UCD advanced to the semi-final of the Fitzgibbon Cup convincingly, overpowering the home side in Athlone yesterday. In a totally one-sided encounter, the visitors led at the interval by 1-11 to 0-1, the goal coming from Brendan Murphy.

It was Athlone who had the first point of the quarter-final , but the placed ball accuracy of Paddy O'Brien ensured UCD's commanding margin. Eunan Martin reduced arrears for AIT at the start of the second period, but a further goal by Murphy and points from Jim Byrne, Michael Gordon and Paul Ormonde finalised matters.

ATHLONE IT: B Newell; D Qualter, D Brett, P Walsh; E Corrigan, A Coyne, E Duane; D Shaughnessy (0-1), T Quinlan; E Martin (0-2, one free), P Mulhare, R McRedmond; J Mullens, I Canning, M Cleary.

UCD: M Lyons; B Walton, S Lucey, C Murphy; H Flannery, D Hegarty, C O'Donovan; S O'Neill, P Ormond (0-1); P O'Brien (0-8, seven frees), N Murphy, P Fitzgerald (0-1), M Gordon (0-1), J Byrne (0-2), B Murphy (2-3).