Powerful Cork IT intent on finishing the job

For only the second time in their history, Cork IT will be battling for honours on Fitzgibbon Cup final day after producing a commanding and professional performance to halt Limerick IT’s charge in yesterday’s semi-final at the Mardyke.

It was a momentous success for CIT who now attempt this afternoon to atone for their 2003 final defeat by Waterford IT. They have claimed a series of fine scalps en route to this juncture and maintained that form yesterday. A formidable rearguard, where Stephen McDonnell and Patrick O’Connor excelled, allied to the assured point-taking of Paudie O’Sullivan and Pádraig Gould, was pivotal to CIT’s success.

The loss of talisman Joe Canning with a shoulder injury was an undeniable setback for LIT’s aspirations and that was exacerbated when Clare senior Sean Collins was forced out before throw-in due to illness. As a consequence, LIT were badly hampered in attack and amidst the satisfaction in the CIT camp afterwards, manager Pat Mulcahy adopted a cautious tone.

“There’s no point playing well in the semi-final if you’re not going to play well in the final. We did fine today, but LIT losing Sean Collins was a big loss and obviously Joe Canning. They’re two big players. They showed great heart but we kept chipping away.

“Having gone in at half-time up three points against the breeze was a big help to us. A few times LIT tried to run the ball and once we settled into our rhythm we sat back a little and invited them on. It suited us, it’s just great to be in the final.”

CIT, for whom Cork’s Aidan Walsh came on as a second-half sub, endured a sluggish start as LIT accelerated into an early 0-3 to 0-1 advantage. But, once they settled, Mulcahy’s charges tapped into the form that propelled them to this stage. The improvements in their defensive prowess was exemplified by the fact that, while they shipped three points from play in the opening eight minutes, they only conceded the same amount of points from play in the remaining 52.

Kilmallock’s Eoin Ryan, LIT’s most incisive attacker, finished crisply to the net in injury-time, but the goal came too late to alter the outcome. The inspiration that Canning routinely supplies was sorely missed, yet CIT remained focused in their defensive effort. LIT’s intricate short passing style did not yield a rich dividend as they tried to punch holes in the CIT backline. The physique of McDonnell, Stephen White and Lorcan McLoughlin ensured they remained strong and cut down on the space available to their opponents.

CIT were fortunate at the other end of the pitch that they possessed an array of players who helped out in the scoring department. Paudie O’Sullivan, who struck an exquisite sideline cut after 42 seconds, always posed a threat, Colin Fennelly grew in stature as the game progressed, while John Cronin complemented his high levels of workrate with two points. The real bonus was the display of Pádraig Gould, parachuted into the starting line-up having largely featured as a substitute up until now, as he grabbed three points over an excellent hour’s work.

“Pádraig has been around with a few years and there’s no doubt that he has talent,” said Mulcahy. “But today his workrate was outstanding, and that’s what he needs.”

LIT battled bravely throughout, their committed defence crowding out Fennelly and Gould as they nearly seized goal chances in the 23rd minute, while goalkeeper Andrew Fahy tipped over a blistering close-range free by O’Sullivan five minutes later.

At the interval LIT were only 0-10 to 0-7 adrift with Ross Horan impressing in attack and John O’Keeffe knitting movements together intelligently from centre-back.

A Ryan free after the restart trimmed the gap to two, but significantly it was 22 minutes before LIT troubled the scoreboard operator again when Paul Browne smashed over the bar following a delightful reverse pass by Cathal O’Connell. In the interim, CIT moved eight points clear and their dominance ensured the concession of an injury-time goal did not prevent their passage to today’s decider.

Scorers for Cork IT: T Quaid 0-5 (0-5f), P O’Sullivan 0-4 (0-1 sideline, 0-1f), P Gould 0-3, J Cronin 0-2, M O’Sullivan 0-1.

Scorers for Limerick IT: E Ryan 1-5 (0-3f), R Horan 0-2, P O’Brien, P Browne 0-1.

CORK IT: K Roche (Cork); B Withers (Cork), S McDonnell (Cork), S Daniels (Waterford); S White (Cork), L McLoughlin (Cork), P O’Connor (Clare); J Coughlan (Cork), M O’Sullivan (Cork); J Cronin (Cork), D Drake (Cork), P Gould (Cork); C Fennelly (Kilkenny), P O’Sullivan (Cork), T Quaid (Limerick).

Subs: A Walsh (Cork) for Drake (40), E Keane (Cork) for Daniels (40), N Kelly (Cork) for O’Sullivan (56).

LIMERICK IT: A Fahy (Clare); E Glynn (Clare), R McCarthy (Limerick), B Glynn (Clare); J Hayes (Limerick), J O’Keeffe (Tipperary), P O’Brien (Limerick); P Browne (Limerick), S Lambert (Galway); C Madden (Limerick), C McInerney (Clare), E Ryan (Limerick); S O’Brien (Limerick), C O’Connell (Clare), R Horan (Clare).

Sub: M Duggan (Clare) for Horan (56).

Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway).