WIT face tough challenge from strong UL side

CHAMPIONS Waterford IT are at full strength for this afternoon’s glamour clash with UL in the Datapac Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final at Ballygunner (1.45pm).

Wexford’s Rory Jacob, JJ Delaney (Kilkenny) and Michael Walsh (Waterford) spearhead the IT challenge which will also be strengthened further by the return of Kilkenny senior Brian Dowling who missed the first round hammering of DIT because of club duty with O’Loughlin Gaels.

UL have a score to settle as they lost at the semi-final stage last year to the eventual champions. They are at a disadvantage because this is their first championship outing. However, they are league champions and will field a host of inter-county players.

Tipp seniors John Devane and Martin Maher, along with Clare’s Jerry Quinn, Brian Carroll (Offaly), Richie Murray and Joe Gantley (Galway), Niall Moran (Limerick) and Owen McCormack (Kilkenny) will all be on the starting 15 and WIT, with only four of last year’s winning team, could well surrender their crown.

Eamon Collins will be available for UCC when they entertain NUIG in the Mardyke this afternoon (2pm). He was picked for Cork in the NHL at the weekend but pulled out because of injury. However, he has been given the all clear for tomorrow’s Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final.

UCC’s challenge has been boosted considerably with the availability of James “Chas” Fitzpatrick and John Tennyson. Both were All-Ireland winning minors with Kilkenny last year and Fitzpatrick has since graduated to the senior team. Tipp’s Mark O’Leary and Michael Phelan and Tom Kenny (Cork) are also available.

The is some doubt about the fitness of Kilkenny senior Tommy Walsh. He limped out of Sunday’s NHL clash with Waterford after a blow on the ankle. He didn’t train with UCC yesterday but he could make an appearance.

NUIG were taken to the wire by arch rivals GMIT in round one (1-12 to 0-12) but will gain from such a tough opener. Rory Hannify (Offaly) is in top form and it was his goal which proved decisive against GMIT. Tony Óg Regan, John Culkin, Dara Shannon and Kevin Hayes are vastly experienced and won’t be found wanting, but home advantage, coupled with such a strong selection, will make UCC favourites.

It’s going to be a busy couple of days for UCD’s Stephen Lucey. He will play against Garda College tomorrow in the Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final at JK Brackens Grounds, Templemore (2pm). Two days later he will be in action with their footballers in the Sigerson Cup semi-final against QUB in Belfast. In each case the Dublin students will be favourites.

Clare goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald will take Limerick IT to Athlone today (2.30pm) to play QUB in the fourth quarter-final of the Fitzgibbon Cup, confident his charges can reach their first semi-final.

They looked a class act in disposing of Cork IT in the previous round where Tipperary senior Eoin Kelly finished with 1-9 out of 2-10. LIT are a very balanced side with excellent defenders in John Coen, Maurice O’Brien and Damien Reale. They are also well served in attack by Conor Plunkett, Clive Early and Andrew Quinn, and it would be the surprise of the season if they are beaten.