LIT sweat over Gaffney for final clash

BERNARD GAFFNEY is a major doubt for Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) this afternoon as they defend their Fitzgibbon Cup title against Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) at Cork IT Grounds.

Throw in is at 3pm.

The Clare senior twisted his knee in the second half of yesterday’s thrilling semi-final win over GMIT and was clearly in trouble as he hobbled off the field.

LIT boss Davie Fitzgerald was none too happy with the way his side fell away after leading by 14 points at half time, and will have sharp words of warning to his players.

“We needn’t bother turning up if that’s the way we are going to perform,” said Fitzgerald. “You cannot expect to win games playing the way we did in that second half. It was dreadful.”

On the other hand WIT coach Colm Bonner said he was delighted with the way his charges stood up to the test.

“We showed great character and commitment, particularly in the second half when UCC came at us. Our backs were outstanding.

“Tomorrow’s final is a different ball game entirely, but I would give our lads every chance if we can produce a similar performance.”

It’s a difficult game to call. Earlier this year in the Round Robin series, WIT beat LIT with a late point by Eoin Reid, but both teams have improved greatly since them.

With WIT chasing their eighth title and LIT their second in a row, and with both teams fielding some of the best hurling talent in the country, it promises to be a cracking final.