GROUP A
Mary Immaculate 2-14 GMIT 1-8
INSPIRED BY MIDFIELDER Colm Galvin Mary Immaculate were too crafty for GMIT at Carnmore today.
Galvin produced an energetic midfield display to steer Mary Immaculate to a victory that was enough to earn them a place in the last eight of the competition. The Limerick College had to absorb plenty of early pressure from GMIT, who bagged a goal from Aidan Lynch.
But Mary Immaculate replied hitting 1-5 on the spin with Luke O’Farrell rattling the GMIT net in the 14th minute. Further points from O’Farrell, Galvin, John Conlon (2), and Brian O’Halloran helped Mary Immaculate to a 1-7 to 1-2 interval advantage.
It was tight after the restart as Mary Immaculate struggled for a spell as GMIT slowly, but surely narrowed the deficit. The margin stood at three points with five minutes remaining, but Mary Immaculate finished with a real flourish.
William Hickey bagged an opportunistic goal and then points from Conlon (2) and O’Halloran ensured Eamon Cregan’s side advanced to the knock-out stages.
Scorers for Mary Immaculate: John Conlon (0-7, 5fs), William Hickey (1-1), Luke O’Farrell (1-1), Colm Galvin (0-2), Brian O’Halloran (0-2), Declan Hannon (0-1 (65).
Scorers for GMIT: Aidan Lynch (1-0), Tadhg Haran 0-3, 3fs), Kevin Lane (0-1), Paul Hoban (0-1, f), Shane Lawless (0-1, f), Darragh Cooney (0-1), Conor O’Donnell (0-1).
UCC 1-13 NUIG 0-14
THERE WAS NO shortage of Fitzgibbon Cup drama as UCC survived a tricky test from an NUIG side that over relied on Niall Burke for scores.
Late points from Seamus Harnedy and Darragh Fives ensured UCC topped the group, but it could have been different had Burke converted a free when the teams were level. Burke’s brilliance had kept NUIG in the game, especially during a first half that was lit up by a fine Brian O’Sullivan goal for UCC.
O’Sullivan’s smooth strike ensured UCC were 1-7 to 0-7 ahead at the break, but NUIG battled effectively in the second period. Six points from Burke, who ended the match with a mammoth 0-11 haul, had NUIG on terms, but Harnedy and Fives landed the blows that mattered.
GROUP B
Waterford IT 3-15 Cork IT 2-8
WITH BOTH already through this match was simply about who would emerge as Group B victors and Waterford IT were in the groove at Carrriganore.
Waterford IT hit 2-3 without reply at the start and they never relinquished the lead despite a spirited Cork IT comeback late on.
Jake Dillon (2) and Eoin Murphy clipped Waterford IT’s goals and they now host LIT in a fascinating quarter final clash next week, while CIT face Leeside rivals UCC in the last eight.
GROUP C
LIT 3-23 DCU 0-10
SEAMUS CALLANAN was instrumental as LIT cruised to an easy success over DCU.
A solid opening period display saw LIT accumulate a 1-10 to 0-5 interval advantage with Tipperary attacker Callanan netting.
DCU were in damage limitation mode after the restart too, but Sean Collins and Jamie Fitzgibbon added LIT goals.
GROUP D
DIT 1-16 St Patrick’s-Mater-Dei 1-12
DUBLIN STAR David Treacy, who scored eight points, was in splendid form for DIT at Alfie Byrne Park.
In a keenly-contested opening period Michael Maloney and the excellent Niall Arthur traded goals as the teams were level at 1-5 each at the interval. DIT nudged seven points clear in the closing stages and even though Arthur hit a few late efforts for Pat’s sufficient damage had been inflicted. A well-organised DIT now qualify as group winners with UL also into the next round.
