Limerick IT and Waterford renew classic cup rivalry

LAST March they produced, by common consent, a sublime classic, and in Limerick this afternoon Limerick IT and Waterford IT renew Fitzgibbon Cup battle once more.

It’s one of four quarter-finals pencilled down for decision, and if it is stretching matters to forecast a repeat of the 1-29 to 1-24 epic that they served up in last year’s final, the meeting still carries huge promise. Limerick IT finished top of Group A to secure a home quarter-final and will be led by the irrepressible Joe Canning in attack, fresh from his heroics for Portumna in last Sunday’s All-Ireland Club semi-final. But manager Davy Fitzgerald has an array of inter-county talent apart from Canning to call on, with Tipperary’s Seamus Callanan helping carry the scoring burden up front, while further back, James McInerney (Clare) and Limerick duo Gavin O’Mahony and Wayne McNamara are to the fore.

Reigning champions Waterford IT have been shorn some of last year’s big stars and they wound up second in Group B behind UL. Their opening game reversal against UL was followed by more encouraging signs when they comfortably dispatched Dublin IT. They will be hoping key forward TJ Reid will have recovered from Ballyhale Shamrocks’ loss in Sunday’s All-Ireland club semi-final, while Fintan O’Leary (Cork) and Tipperary duo Timmy Hammersley and Ray McLougheney will be required for scores up front. Limerick IT will hold the favourites tag given their form to date and the presence of star turn Canning, and they should have enough to advance.