UL see off stubborn MTU Cork to set up titanic Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final

UL were too strong for the Cork outfit in dreadful weather in Castletroy on Tuesday evening.

Early goals from the hosts were enough to see off a determined MTU Cork side as UL booked their place in the semi-finals of the 20222 Fitzgibbon Cup.

Green flags from Mikey Kiely and Mark Rodgers helped UL to a 2-22 to 1-19 win.

The Limerick side will play IT Carlow in the semi-finals after they dethroned defending champions UCC at home.

Led by Brian Ryan, UL’s intent was clear from the off in a game played on the 4G pitch at Maguires with the grass field unplayable.

Mikey Kiely added to his goal against TUD with their first inside the opening four minutes, firing into the net after a mazy run.

Six minutes later, Clare senior Mark Rodgers had his fifth goal of the campaign to move the hosts 2-5 to 0-3 clear.

Things could have been much worse for the visitors were it not for the exploits of Ger Collins in goals who twice thwarted Brian O’Grady.

MTU kept in touch with UL but found it much harder to find scores with Liam O’Shea finding the target with a number of frees to leave it 2-12 to 0-9 at the interval.

UL were able to maintain this advantage for much of the second half with Limerick men Rory Duff and Conor O’Grady introduced.

A Declan Hanlon goal with five to play reduced the margin to seven but UL rarely looked in great trouble as they move into the semi-finals for the first time since 2018 when they were last crowned champions.

Awaiting them is final hosts IT Carlow who were 1-17 to 0-14 winners over back to back defending champions UCC.

Rory Higgins hit the net for the hosts who were 1-11 to 0-8 ahead at the half with the Cork side losing Padraig Power to a red.

IT Carlow were down to 14-men when Jerry Kelly saw red but DJ Carey’s men held on to set up a titanic clash in the semi-finals next week.

The other semi-final paring will be confirmed today wIth TUS MidWest meeting GMIT while NUIG take on WIT.