Waterford IT edge out CIT in thriller

Waterford IT 1-14, Cork IT 2-9

The two colleges recently met in the Fitzgibbon Cup final which went to the Waterford side, and CIT saw yesterday’s final as an opportunity to redress the balance.

The Waterford students just about deserved their victory, but had to withstand a tremendous late rally from the Cork side who found themselves five points down with two minutes to go.

However, a Ronan Coakley goal ensured a dramatic closing minutes as CIT threw everything at their opponents in search of a winner but the WIT defence, with Jody Millne and Noel McDonnell outstanding, held firm.

There was little to choose between the sides in the opening quarter at the end of which Waterford led 0-3 to 0-2, the unerring accuracy from frees of Bernard O’Callaghan (WIT) and Brian O’Connell (CIT) accounting for all the scores.

WIT were grateful for a great save by Philip Brennan from Tom ’Connor in the 18th minute before taking complete control for the rest of the half and with O’Callaghan punishing the CIT defenders at every opportunity, they deservedly led 0-10 to 0-5 at the break.

The second-half developed into a tremendous contest as CIT set about reducing the deficit. Three excellent points in a row sparked off a great period of dominance by the Cork students and WIT were again grateful for the excellence of Philip Brennan between the posts who denied James Young a goal in the 37th minute.

However, the incessant pressure on the WIT defence finally told in the 40th minute when Killian Moloney picked out James young with an inch-perfect pass and he gave Brennan no chance from close range to put CIT in front for the first time.

There was no let up in the intensity of the exchanges as play swung from end to end, but the introduction of James Maher in the 52nd minute had the desired effect for WIT.

With his first touch he pointed a 65 before creating a goal chance for Bernard O’Callaghan who finished to the net after CIT keeper Stephen Mahony saved but failed to hold Maher’s initial effort.

Surprisingly CIT took off James Young, who had earlier contributed 1-2 from play, and it was to prove a costly error as his greater physical presence was clearly missed in the hectic closing minutes as his side pounded the WIT defence.

Tommy Dunne, Tossy Hogan, John Hassett and James Maher were others to make significant contributions for the winners, while it was no fault of Michael O’Rourke, Ronan Coakley, Brian O’Connell and Tom O’Connor that CIT failed.

Scorers - WIT: B. O’Callaghan 1-8 (0-7 frees); J. Hassett 0-2; J. Maher 0-2 (0-1 65); K. Falvey, D. Callanan 0-1 each.

CIT: B. O’Connell 0-5 (frees); J. Young 1-2; R. Coakley 1-0; T. O’Connor, J. Johnson 0-1 each.

WIT: P. Brennan; B. Moroney, P. Ryan, B. Ryan; J. Millne, N. McDonnell, T. Dunne; D. Callanan, T. Hogan; J. Hassett, L. Meehan, B. O’Callaghan; G. Ryan, B. Cunningham, K. Falvey. Subs. JD Kearney for Falvey; J. Maher for G. Ryan.

CIT: S. Mahony; M. O’Rourke, N. O’Connell, C. Butler; B. O’Connell, J. Murphy, R. Coakley; S. Cunningham, J. Johnson; P. Motherway, T. O’Connor, K. Cotter; J. Young, K. Moloney, B. Cooney. C. Teehan for Cotter; J. Flynn for Young.

Referee: G. Guinan (Kilkenny).