Heffernan arrives with a bang to send UL into semi-final

University of Limerick, boasting a number of senior county stars, proved too strong for IT Carlow in the second half of this Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final.

A brace of UL goals in the 48th and 49th minutes killed off the home side’s challenge — both scored by substitute Mikey Heffernan. Another Tipperary man, Joe Gallagher, raised a third green flag in the dying minutes.

At that stage the Limerick students were well in control and with gapsappearing in the home defence thevisitors took full advantage.

The sides were level seven times in an even first half in which both defences excelled. It was apparent from the start the UL defence was a strong unit, anchored by the immaculate Brendan Bulger at centre-back. The Clare man gave Kilkenny’s TJ Reid little scope from play over the hour.

Carlow competed well enough to stay in contention throughout the third quarter, despite the fact the UL defence remained absolutely resolute. Whenever ball did find its way into the Carlow full-forward line the UL full-back line of Paddy Stapleton, Michael Walsh and Conor Fogarty provedimpossible to penetrate, keeper Thomas Lowry having an easy time.

Points from Johnny Coen, David Walton and Padraig Walsh eased UL into an 0-11 to 0-8 lead by the 37th minute, the Munster college always finding an immediate response to a Carlow score. Still there was hope among the home supporters as Carlow stayed in touch into the final quarter. But with UL 0-14 to 0-11 in front substitute Heffernan struck for his goals to effectively kill off the game. The Tipperary man had only joined the action minutes earlier.

Thereafter there was little or no threat from the home side as UL picked off some superb scores while remaining watertight in defence. Joe Gallagher’s late goal was the icing on the UL cake.

This was a highly impressive team performance from the winners, who now advance to a semi-final meeting with UCC on Friday week.

Scorers for UL: M Heffernan 2-0; C McGrath 0-4 (3f); J Gallagher 1-1; L Markham 0-3 (1f, 1 65); J Coen, P Walsh, D Walton, D Bulter 0-2 each; M Walsh, B Beckett 0-1 each.

Scorers for IT Carlow: TJ Reid 0-7 (6f); T Carroll 0-3; J Maher 0-2; J Rigney, C Kenny 0-1 each.

UL: T Lowry; P Stapleton, M Walsh, C Fogarty; L Ryan, B Bugler, P Maher; L Markham, M Walsh; B Beckett, D Butler, P Walsh; D Walton, D Butler, C McGrath.

Subs: M Heffernan for Walton (39); Joe Gallagher for Beckett (46); T O’Brien for Butler (51); P Kelly for McGrath (57); P Flanagan for Stapleton (59).

IT CARLOW: E Mealey; D Shaw, D Kenny, J Carroll; B Harding, R Doyle, J Rigney; P Hally, O Walsh; C Kenny, TJ Reid, J Maher; T Carroll, P Walsh, TJ Lawlor.

Subs: C English for P Walsh (ht); E Fitzpatrick for Lawler (36); C O’Donovan for Carroll (51).

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).