A dominant second half performance from LIT was enough to overcome a serious challenge from Nicky English’s UCD 1-20 to 1-13 in today’s second Fitzgibbon Cup Quarter Final in Moylish.

LIT started the brighter of the two teams and raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead but were pegged back in the 6th minute as Luke Scanlon expertly pounced on Oisin O’Rorke’s 65’ to net a goal for the visitors to put them a point to the good.

The next 15 minutes saw the sides exchange points as the two teams were level 5 times in the opening half. However, just before the half time break UCD began to make use of the strong wind at their backs.

The final four points of the half were scored by the Leinster side courtesy of Darragh Dolan, Tadgh de Búrca, James Madden and O’Rorke.

This gave UCD a 3-point lead at the half, 1-09 to 0-09, although it being a very even opening period.
The second half began in the same vein as the LIT were unable to reel in their opponents, whilst UCD were unable to pull further ahead of the home team. After 35 minutes UCD led by 1-11 to 0-12. By the time they got their next score 10 minutes later however, they would find themselves trailing by 2.
In the intervening 10 minutes LIT became accustomed to the favouring wind and tacked on 5 points without reply. Limerick senior panellist Barry O’Connel was the man to level the scores at 1-11 to 0-14.

O’Rorke pointed for UCD to halt LIT’s momentum but this was only a momentary pause in LIT’s assault as they fired over the following three scores to increase their lead to 0-20 to 1-12 with only 5 minutes remaining on the clock.

Although UCD were the team desperate for a goal, it would Davy Fitz’ charges who would strike the telling blow in the final moments. A powerful run from Na Piarsaigh’s David Dempsey was finished to the net by Jason McCarthy to kill off the game.

When the final whistle was blown, the scoreboard read 1-20 to 1-13 in favour of LIT, who advance into the semi-finals of the competition once more. There they will face Mary I, the reigning champions who knocked the Moylish side out at the same stage last year.

Davy Fitz will be especially pleased with the composure of his side who overcame a poor first half against the wind to outscore their opponents by 1-11 to 0-04 in the second period. However, he will know that his team must improve considerably to knock out the holders.

LIT
Eibhear Quilligan, Oisin O’Brien, Kieran Bennett, Cian Nolan, Willie Ryan, Barry O’Connel, Diarmaid Byrnes, David Reidy, Wilie Connors, Shane Bennett, Paul Killeen, Jason McCarthy, Jamie Shanahan, Peter Duggan, David Dempsey Sub Ciaran Cooney.

UCD
Darragh Holohan, Eddie Hayden, Paddy Hannon, Jack O’Connor, Huw Lawlor, Tadgh de Búrca, Cillain Buckley, Cian MacGabhann, Darragh Dolan, James Maher, James Madden, Paraic Guinan, Oisin O’Rorke, Luke Scanlon, DJ Foran Subs Rory Dwan, Brian Quigley, Cathal Keane, Stephen Quirke.
Scorers- LIT- Paul Killeen (0-6f) 0-7, Jason McCarthy 1-3, Diarmaid Byrnes (0-1f) 0-3, Shane Bennett (0-1f), David Demspey 0-2 each, Barry O’Connell, Peter Duggan & Willie Connors 0-1 each.
Scorers- UCD- DJ Foran (0-4f) 0-5, Luke Scanlon 1-0, Oisin O’Rorke (0-2f) 0-3, Darragh Dolan 0-2, James Madden, Tadhg de Búrca (0-1f) & James Maher 0-1 each.