DCU grind out victory over LIT in Fitzgibbon Cup

DCU avenged last years quarter final loss at the hands of LIT with a thrilling 3-15 to 2-17 victory over the same opponents in Limerick earlier today.

Fitz full time @DCUGAAAcademy 3-15 @LITSports 2-17 great to dig out win. Garda on Thursday. @HigherEdGAA

— DCU Dóchas Éireann GAA Club (@DCUDocEirGAA) January 22, 2018

The home side had Limerick men Diarmuid Byrnes, Cian Hedderman, Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, Eoin Quilty and Jack Quaid in their starting XV. However, despite having the advantage of a slight breeze in the opening period, the side from the capital started the brighter and held a commanding 2-3 to 0-3 lead on the quarter hour mark, their goals coming from Donal Burke and Patrick Curran.

LIT did not fold however, as the sides traded scores to close out the half. At the break DCU lead by five with the scoreline reading 2-7 to 0-8 in their favour.

Davey Fitzgerald’s charges would come out of the blocks quicker after the break and had their opening goal, four minutes into the half when Clare senior, Peter Duggan buried a penalty for the hosts to reduce the deficit to three. With ten minutes gone in the second half, LIT had reduced the gap to a single point.

DCU responded well to the comeback and Donal Burke netted his second of the day to put some daylight between the sides with a quarter of an hour remaining. There was to be a late twist when David Reidy goaled for the hosts with five minutes remaining to give his side hope.

LIT would further close the gap to a solitary point, but the winner never came as DCU recorded a crucial victory in the opening game of the group. Both sides now face the Garda College, with LIT needing a victory if they are to progress into the knockout stages.