NUI Galway secure quarter-final spot

A draw was enough to ensure NUI Galway secured a home quarter-final spot against UCC next week, after today's Ulster Bank Fitzgibbon Cup clash at Drumcondra.

The Galway side were in commanding form early on and held a 0-6 to 0-3 lead after 15 minutes with Pat Kelly, Aidan Harte, Cormac O'Donovan (2), Sean Glynn and Caimin Morey on target for the visitors.

But despite the absence of James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick through club commitments, St. Pat's rallied strongly and led by 0-8 to 0-7 as the interval approached.

A brace of points from Mark Bergin and Richie Hogan along with a JJ Farrell effort propelling the hosts in front.

A well-worked 28th minute goal from Daragh Nolan continued the joy for St. Pat's but NUIG rallied strongly with Kevin Keenan slicing the ball to the net a minute later to cut the gap to a point at the interval.

NUI Galway began the second half in determined fashion as points from John Lee and Morey saw them break a point in front.

However the sides were well matched in the second half and were level on six occasions including at the full-time whistle following Glynn's late equaliser.

ST PATS-MATER DEI: M Murphy; A Murphy, E Bogan, J Byrne; S Campion, M Kelly, N Tennyson; JJ Farrell (0-2), D Fogarty; S Scanlon, R Hogan (0-8, 7f), C Henry; M Bergin (0-4), B Timmins, D Nolan (1-0). Subs: D Weafer for A Murphy (45); S Óg Folan for Scanlon (49); N O'Brien for Hassett (60).

NUI GALWAY: P Kennedy; M O'Donnell, S Murphy, D O'Donovan; P Kelly (0-1), J Lee (0-1, 1f), C Dillon; S Molumphy, C Hassett; A Harte (0-1), C Morey (0-5, 2f), S Glynn (0-4); C O'Donovan (0-2), K Keehan (1-0), P O'Brien. Subs: G Kelly for O'Donovan (52); D Cullen for Keegan (55); J O'Gorman for O'Brien (60).

REFEREE: David O'Donovan (Dublin)