Cork IT 0-19
NUI Galway 0-10
Denis Hurley reports from CIT Sports Stadium
LAST YEAR’S BEATEN finalists Cork IT will be in next week’s Fitzgibbon Cup semi-finals as they got the better of NUI Galway at the CIT Sports Stadium on Wednesday.
The hosts, managed by former Cork captain Pat Mulcahy, never trailed in this contest and were grateful to Tipperary star John O’Dwyer for his haul of eight points. In addition, Conor Hammersley excelled at midfield while Stephen Murphy and Tomás Lawrence were excellent in a tight defence.
CIT roared into the game, leading by 0-5 to 0-1 inside 11 minutes and O’Dwyer and Daire Lordan popped up with good points but NUIG got going gradually. They had pulled to within a point, 0-6 to 0-5, by 22 as Bobby Duggan, Niall O’Brien and Ger Hennelly got on the scoresheet but CIT pulled clear again.
They led by 0-10 to 0-6 at half-time and did enough early in the second period to ensure they always had some breathing space without ever being fully comfortable.
As the game went on, the more it looked like NUIG would need a goal if they were to turn things around but CIT finished strongly.
O’Dywer, Kevin Kavanagh, Hammersley and captain John Cronin were all on target as they ensured that nine points separated the sides at the end. CIT face either Mary Immaculate College or Dublin IT in the semi-finals.
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Scorers for Cork IT: John O’Dwyer 0-8 (0-4 frees), John Cronin 0-3, Conor Hammersley, Kevin Kavanagh, Daire Lordan 0-2 each, Noel McNamara, Patrick White 0-1 each.
Scorers for NUI Galway: Bobby Duggan 0-5 (0-1 free, 0-1 65), Cathal Mannion 0-2 (0-1 free), Niall O’Brien, Ger Hennelly, Stephen Ward 0-1 ward.
CORK IT
1. Gary Minihane (Courcey Rovers, Cork)
2. Stephen Murphy (Blackrock, Cork)
3. Alan Dennehy (Charleville, Cork)
4. Tomás Lawrence (Brian Dillons, Cork)
5. Jack Herlihy (Newtownshandrum, Cork)
6. Mark Ellis (Millstreet, Cork)
7. Cian Buckley (Na Piarsaigh, Cork)
8. Conor Hammersley (Clonoulty-Rossmore, Tipperary)
9. William Murphy (Meelin, Cork)
23. Daire Lordan (Courcey Rovers, Cork)
11. John Cronin (Lisgoold, Cork)
12. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk, Cork)
13. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule, Tipperary)
14. Noel McNamara (Kilworth, Cork)
15. Kevin Kavanagh (Carrigaline, Cork)
Subs
26. Patrick White (Midleton, Cork) for Lordan (37)
27. John Cashman (Lisgoold, Cork) for Walsh (57)
18. Micheál Russell (Aghada, Cork) for W Murphy (57)
NUI GALWAY
16. Jonathan Griffey (Clarecastle, Clare)
3. John Hanbury (Rahoon/Newcastle, Galway)
4. Robbie Lane (Ballindeereen, Galway)
2. Cormac Diviney (Ardrahan, Galway)
5. Shane Cooney (St Thomas, Galway)
6. Conor Cleary (Kilmaley, Clare)
21. Ger Fennelly (Ballingarry, Tipperary)
7. Stephen Hynes (Craughwell, Galway)
13. Ger Hennelly (Ardrahan, Galway)
10. Kieran Ryan (Ballindeereen, Galway)
14. Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh, Galway)
11. Niall O’Brien (Castletown, Westmeath)
15. Stephen Ward (Clarecastle, Clare)
12. Bobby Duggan (Clarecastle, Clare)
19. Brendan O’Connor (Croagh, Limerick).
Subs
22. Cathal Hardiman (Athenry, Galway) for Cooney (21, injured)
18. Shane Dooley (Borrisokane, Tipperary) for Diviney (58)
Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly).
