Limerick IT relieved to reach Fitzgibbon Cup final

Despite only scoring two points in the second half, reigning Fitzgibbon Cup champions Limerick IT held out to book a place in their fourth final in five years this afternoon.

The Limerick outfit held firm for a 3-10 to 2-10 semi-final victory over GMIT at the grounds of Cork IT.

Davy Fitzgerald's side romped to a 3-8 to 0-2 interval advantage with Galway scoring sensation Joe Canning hitting 2-2, while Clare's Bernard Gaffney also crashed home a goal.

LIT's opening half hat-trick came in a thrilling three-minute spell as GMIT looked to have no answer.

However they were an inspired force in the second half, aided by Limerick All-Star Andrew O'Shaughnessy who had an injection in his broken toe only hours before the throw-in.

O'Shaughnessy notched 1-2 for his side during the second half, including a 52nd-minute penalty, directly after Galway U-21 Conor Kavanagh had also found the back of the LIT net.

GMIT certainly were not afraid of a resilient Limerick IT side and goalkeeper Eric Ward pulled off a fine double save from Canning as the game entered the final quarter.

Remarkably LIT were held scoreless in the final quarter, but GMIT's comeback just fell short at the finish as a Mark Flaherty '65' cut the gap to a goal in the third minute of injury-time. But this was as close as the challengers got to victory.

LIT will face Waterford IT in tomorrow's final at Cork IT (throw-in 3.15pm) after a strong second half display from the 2006 champions ensured a 2-14 to 1-15 win over UCC.

UCC began in strong fashion with Eoghan Murphy blasting to the net after 20 seconds and the Cork full-forward kept his side motoring during the opening half with a 1-4 tally.

If Murphy was UCC's main talisman up front, Ray McLoughney was a strong presence for the eventual winners.

Waterford also had some excellent play from sharpshooter Fintan O'Leary, who blasted the ball to the back of the UCC net in the 14th-minute to level the contest for the first time.

However UCC continued to work hard and with corner forwards Pat Barry and Stephen Moylan foraging well, they gave the WIT defence a hard time.

UCC held a 1-8 to 1-6 interval lead, having played against a strong wind in the opening half.

Waterford IT took the initiative on the restart thanks to a trio of points and McLoughney's 40th-minute penalty, from which they never looked back.

UCC failed to ease up but Waterford IT were strongest in the closing stages and a late point from Corkman O'Leary saw them seal a two-point win.