Waterford IT build from defence

Waterford IT...0-11 UCC...0-9: Waterford IT manager Colm Bonnar hailed this victory as his side's greatest achievement since he first got involved with WIT in 1992.

Bonnar, a selector with the Tipperary seniors, said afterwards: "We lost 11 players from last year's team and we thought we were going to go through a doldrum . . . But bit by bit it came together . . . we showed great heart and determination and that's what won it for us today."

WIT have won five out of the last six Fitzgibbon Cups.

There was a strong Kilkenny flavour to this final at Athlone IT grounds. Six of the WIT team were Kilkenny men, while the UCC team included five. And Kilkenny man, WIT full-back Ken Coogan was awarded man-of-the-match.

WIT's victory was based on their tight defence as they restricted Cork to just one point in the second half. UCC wilted alarmingly in the second half - perhaps their fuel tank was low after an intense semi-final with Limerick IT the previous day.

UCC led at half-time 0-8 to 0-6 after WIT side racked up seven wides. Two points from Kilkenny All-Star Tommy Walsh illuminated the first half.

WIT were well on top early in the second half and drew level with Conor Phelan and Rory Jacob points. Brian Dowling put them in front for the first time in the 44th minute. A James "Cha" Fitzpatrick free brought the sides level, but Peter Garvey gave WIT the lead with five minutes left and a Rory Jacob free sealed the win.

WIT: P Brennan; C O'Neill, K Coogan, JJ Delaney (capt); T Holland, K Rossiter, H Maloney; D Hayes, M Walsh (0-1); C Phelan (0-1), P Garvey (0-1), J Phelan; R Jacob (0-4, four frees), A Owens (0-1), B Dowling (0-3). Subs: PJ Delaney for Rossiter, C Burns for Owens, A Cullinane for Dowling.

UCC: R O'Neill; J Tennyson, C Hickey, M Phelan; T Kenny (c), K Hartnett, E Hanley; T Walsh (0-2), M O'Connor (0-1, '65); M O'Leary (0-1), E Conway, S O'Sullivan; J Fitzpatrick (0-5, four frees), E Collins, N Maloney. Subs: D O'Sullivan for Conway, P O'Brien for Maloney.

Referee: P O'Connor (Limerick).