Fitzgibbon Cup Semi-finals: UL 4-9; Waterford IT 2-13 A slice of GAA history was made at the Limerick IT grounds yesterday when two Limerick colleges, UL and LIT, qualified to make it a first all-Limerick Fitzgibbon Cup final. Amazingly, there will be only one Limerick player on view, Niall Moran of UL, who caused the shock of the day when beating Waterford IT.
A two-goal burst by Nicky Kenny and Joe Gantley in two minutes midway through the second half proved crucial for UL in their unexpected victory over a side seeking their third successive Fitzgibbon Cup title.
WIT, playing with wind advantage, had just cancelled out a four-point interval deficit to level at 2-6 to 1-9, and were threatening to overtake their opponents who had managed just one point in the third quarter.
But Waterford's plight worsened when Kenny tacked on a further point, to open an eight-point gap for UL.
Goalkeeper Philip Brennan threw Waterford a lifeline when he blasted a 21-yard free to the net and two more pointed frees, from top scorer Brian Dowling, had them snapping at UL's heels.
With five minutes left, Brennan was summoned into action, again from a similar position, but this time luck deserted him and defender Ger Flood became an instant hero when he cleared his stinging shot off the line.
Waterford were not finished yet, though, and Dowling and Eamonn Phelan left the minimum between the sides, 4-8 to 2-13.
In their quest for an equalising score, the holders left gaps at the back and the impressive Gantley took his cue to rattle over the insurance point.
A well organised UL looked to Moran, their only home-based player, to give them the edge in the opening quarter and his hat-trick of points helped them to forge ahead 0-4 to 0-1.
In 17 minutes, WIT were very much back in the chase after Adrian Cullinane raced on to a long delivery, to whip past Tadgh Flynn, but they had just finished their celebration when Moran set up Gantley for a cracking goal. UL needed more breathing space and Paul Flynn provided it when he finished a solo run by shooting past Brennan.
Brian Dowling and Adrian Cullinane raised WIT hopes, leaving it 2-5 to 1-4 at the interval.
Moran, very much a key figure in midfield, saw UL take up from where they left off by claiming the first point of the second half, one that helped them to build their confidence for the anticipated WIT recovery.
Though under pressure for long periods, UL, thanks to full back John Devane, held firm.
UL: T Flynn; B Bulger, J Devane, A Murphy; R Conlon, R Hayes, G Flood; N Moran (0-4, two frees), B Coleman; P O'Flynn (1-0), J Gantley (2-2), D McCormack; B Carroll (0-1), D Greene (0-1), N Kenny (1-1). Sub: J Henaghan for P O'Flynn.
WIT: P Brennan (1-0, free); A Kirwan, K Rossiter, T Holland; J Brady, PJ Delaney (0-1, free), H Maloney; D Hayes, A Cullinane (1-1); J Phelan, M Walsh (0-1), J Kennedy; O Reid (0-1), C Phelan (0-1), B Dowling (0-8, frees). Subs: W Ryan for Holland, K Brady for J Phelan, C O'Brien for Hayes.
Referee: B Whyte (Tipperary).
