Dublin IT 1-15
UL 0-15
A brilliant first-half goal from David Treacy was crucial to Dublin IT’s three-point victory over UL in the Fitzgibbon Cup this afternoon.
In a Group D clash played at the Parnells GAA club in Coolock, DIT enjoyed success in their first game in this year’s competition.
UL entered the match on the back of last week’s convincing victory over St Pat’s College and only needed a point to book their berth in the quarter-finals.
Instead they came out second best and DIT are in pole position to claim top spot ahead of the final game in the three-team group next week.
UL, who had Tipperary defender Paddy Stapleton unavailable due to illness, are still in strong contention to claim the second quarter-final place in offer from this group but could not claim the spoils on their trip to Dublin.
It was DIT who lead at half-time by 1-8 to 0-8 with Treacy billowing the net in the 15th after a mazy run through the defence and ultimately a fine left-hand shot.
In all Cuala clubman Treacy shot 1-3 from play in the first-half while Michael Moloney also caught the eye in attack. UL kept in touch thanks for five points from accurate free taker Kieran Morris and a brace from Limerick’s John Fitzgibbon.
UL enjoyed a superb start to the second-half as they registered five points, with Tipperary’s Adrian Ryan notching a pair of them, and only conceding one in the early stages. That put them into a 0-13 to 1-9 lead as they were ahead on the scoreboard for the first time in the game.
However DIT, who had outstanding defensive displays from Liam Rushe and Kieran Bergin, drew level at 1-11 to 0-14 with ten minutes remaining as Thomas Connolly, brother of Dublin senior footballer Diarmuid, excelled in attack.
And it was DIT who finished stronger in the finale with Galway’s Niall Quinn also to the fore as despite the efforts of Kilkenny’s Michael Fennelly and Tipperary’s Paul Kelly for UL, DIT had three points to spare by the finish.
Scorers for DIT: David Treacy 1-3, Michael Maloney 0-4 (0-3f), Niall Quinn, Thomas Connolly 0-3 each, Jack Hobbs, Willie Cullen 0-1 each.
Scorers for UL: Kieran Morris 0-5 (0-4f), Paul Kelly 0-3, Adrian Ryan, John Fitzgibbon, Jonathan Glynn 0-2 each, Paraic Walsh 0-1.
DUBLIN IT: Finn McGarry (Ballyboden St-Enda’s, Dublin); Jamie Diviney (Beagh, Galway), Ger McManus (St Judes, Dublin), Ciaran O’Shaughnessy (Shelmaliers, Wexford); Dean Curran (Ballyboden St-Enda’s, Dublin), Liam Rushe (St Pat’s, Dublin), Kieran Bergin (Killenaule, Tipperary); Stephen O’Connor (Ballyboden St-Enda’s, Dublin), Stephen Morris (Blackhall Gaels, Meath); Shane Ryan (Crumlin, Dublin), Michael Moloney (Black & Whites, Kilkenny), Niall Quinn (Sarsfields, Galway); David Treacy (Cuala, Dublin), Thomas Connolly (St Vincent’s, Dublin), Jack Hobbs (Ballygarrett, Wexford).
Subs: Willie Cullen (Naomh Eanna, Wexford) for Ryan (34), Joe McManus (St Judes, Dublin) for Hobbs (45), Lar Prendergast (Oulart-the-Ballagh, Wexford) for Morris (54).
UL: Niall McGrath (Burgess, Tipperary); Mark Carmody (Patrickswell, Limerick), Michael Walsh (Young Ireland’s, Kilkenny), Pa Ryan (Clonakenny, Tipperary); Geoff Brennan (St Patrick’s, Kilkenny), Conor Ryan (Cratloe, Clare), Joe Gallagher (Kildangan, Tipperary); Michael Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks, Kilkenny), Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge, Clare); John Fitzgibbon (Adare, Limerick), Adrian Ryan (Templederry, Tipperary), Paraic Walsh (Tullaroan, Kilkenny); Kieran Morris (Moycarkey-Borris, Tipperary), Paul Kelly (Mullinahone, Tipperary), David Butler (Drom-Inch, Tipperary).
Subs: Jonathan Glynn (Ardrahan, Galway) for Butler (half-time), Eamon Murphy (Dunhill, Waterford) for Walsh (48), Paul Flanagan (Ballyea, Clare) for Fitzgibbon (49).
Referee: Christopher Browne (Kildare).
