Joy for Cork and Kerry in McGrath Cup

Kerry, Cork, Cork IT and UL got off to winning starts as they claimed quarter-final wins in the McGrath Cup today.

Kerry were always in command in their 0-17 to 0-8 win over IT Tralee at the John Mitchels GAA Club in Tralee.

Twelve months ago the Kingdom overcame the college side in the same stage of the competition, and once again Kerry impressed.

Barry John Keane, Alan Fitzgerald and Bryan Sheehan were among Kerry's scorers as Eamon Fitzmaurice's charges led by 0-9 to 0-2 at half-time, and outscored their opponents by eight points to six on the restart.

Sheehan finished this game with six points, as Kerry delivered a nine-point win.

Brian Cuthbert got off to a great start as Cork manager, as the Rebels claimed a 3-22 to 0-7 win over Limerick IT at Mallow.

A total of 10 players were on target for the Cork in a game which saw the hosts lead throughout.

Cork led by 1-15 to 0-0 at half-time with Andrew O'Sullivan netting the Rebels goal after 13 minutes.

The students fought back with four unanswered points on the restart, but Cork finished strongly.

Substitute Kevin Crowley netted his sides second goal, with John Hayes (1-4) converting a late penalty to ensure a 24-point win.

CIT were goal hungry in their 5-17 to 2-6 win over Mary Immaculate College on home soil this afternoon.

CIT led by 3-8 to 1-3 at half-time, with Donal Óg Hodnett, Shane McCarthy, Daniel Daly, Darragh Treacy and Cathal Vaughan all finding the net over the 70 minutes for the winners.

UL will meet Cork in the semi-finals next weekend, after they overcame UCC by 5-18 to 4-16 at the Gaelic Grounds.

Both defences were under huge pressure in the opening half, with five goals registered in the opening 35 minutes, as UL led by 3-7 to 2-9 at the interval.

Michael Quinlivan and Conor Cox netted for UCC inside the opening 11 minutes to take an early 2-3 to 0-3 lead, but UL responded with three-pointers from Brian O'Shea, James O'Donoghue and Paul Whyte to take a one-point interval lead.

UCC moved ahead on the restart, with Cox and Quinlivan both scoring their second goals, to take a 4-12 to 3-9 lead.

But UL worked their way back into contention at the start of the final quarter with two quick goals paving the way for victory.