Last second goal pulls UL past IT Carlow and into Fitzgibbon Cup Final

A crazy finish to their Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final saw UL squeeze past IT Carlow after extra time.

With UL trailing by two and time up, Mikey Kiely stood over a 45 yard free before firing into the top corner, breaking IT Carlow hearts in the process.

That was enough for a 1-27 to 2-23 win after an absorbing 80 minutes in Carlow where they sides couldn’t be separated in normal time. 

UL will now contest the final against NUIG on Saturday afternoon.

UL had the first five scores of the evening with as many different scorers from all angles.

That had them 0-5 to 0-0 clear inside four minutes.

But Carlow began to get to grips with the Limerick side and were level midway through the half as Seamus Casey found the net with a clever flick.

From here to the half the sides exchanged the lead with Bryan O’Mara’s long range effort leaving it 0-13 to 1-10 at the interval.

UL had the first three scores of the second half, Mark Rodgers hitting over a pair of frees, taking the duty from Gearoid O’Connor.

The Limerick side found their scores much easier to come by, holding a five point gap for much of the half.

But on the 53rd minute, Carlow IT moved within one after a Rodgers free was called wide at one end, with the hosts taking full advantage at the other with a free of their own. 

Casey levelled for IT Carlow, who moved in front for the first time in the second half in injury time with Marty Kavanagh hitting the net.

But there was still time for UL to level as Sigerson goalie Conor O’Flaherty landed a huge score to level things at the end of normal time.

The sides had two scores each at the end of the first period of extra time.

But with Carlow two clear with seconds left, Kiely stood up and left his mark.