IT WAS a very crowded scene in the LIT goalmouth yesterday in the final seconds of this Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final as UCD’s Maurice Nolan – his side needing a goal to send the game into extra-time – stood over a 30m free.

LIMERICK IT atoned for last year’s quarter-final exit against Waterford IT by accomplishing a victory yesterday afternoon that secures a safe passage through to the last eight of this year’s campaign.

IT was truly atrocious weather for hurling in the Mardyke yesterday afternoon, but the glittering hurling skills of Joe Canning managed to illuminate this Fitzgibbon Cup Group A clash.

UL 3-22 LIT 2-18, LIT Grounds (after extra-time)

Clare 0-15 Kilkenny 0-14

Clare manager John Minogue has made two changes to the side which claimed the Banner's first Munster Under-21 title for tomorrow's Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland U-21 Hurling Championship semi-final against Galway at Semple Stadium (throw-in 2.30pm).

LAOIS duo Colm Parkinson and Darren Rooney played a telling role in Parnells 0-12 to 0-11 win over St Mark’s Tallaght in round three of the Dublin SFC in O’Toole Park last night.

Clare 2-17 Waterford 2-12, Fraher Field, Dungarvan

TONIGHT it’s a Munster U21 hurling decider with a twist. The heavyweights of Cork and Tipperary are both marked absent ensuring the first final without either of the Old Firm in fifteen years. It promises to be a unique evening in Dungarvan.

AFTER the trauma of their senior team’s championship exit last Saturday, Clare hurling received a badly-needed tonic from their U21 camp last night in Cusack Park.