Reigning champions UL book place in Saturday's Fitzgibbon Cup final

UL fell three behind in the second half, but an unanswered scoring burst of 1-5 put Brian Lohan’s side in control.

John McGrath was the star as Fitzgibbon Cup holders UL booked their place in Saturday’s final with victory over UCD at Cork IT.

Trailing by 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time, UL fell three behind upon the resumption but an unanswered scoring burst of 1-5 put Brian Lohan’s side in control, McGrath flicking a Jason Forde 65 to the net to make it 1-9 to 0-10 in the 42nd minute.

Video from HE GAA.

While UCD got themselves back into it with four points on the trot, three by their top score Oisín O’Rorke, the goal always provided a cushion for UL and in the closing stages they made sure of victory. First, McGrath did well to win Conor Martin’s delivery and fire home and then he turned creator, allowing sub Tommy Heffernan to make it 3-14 to 0-15.

In the first half, UCD were very impressive, as their hard work put UL on the back foot. While the champions led by 0-3 to 0-1 after eight minutes, points from James Maher, Colm Cronin and Pádraic Guinan put UCD in front. While Tom Morrissey responded for UL – one of four points from him – another three, by Maher, Eoin Conroy and O’Rorke, made it 0-7 to 0-4 for UCD.

Jason Forde, University of Limerick, in action against Ross King, University College Dublin. Independent.ie Fitzgibbon Cup, Semi-Final, University of Limerick v University College Dublin, Cork IT, Bishopstown, Cork. Picture credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE

Coming up to half-time, UL had closed that gap but only a super save from Paul Maher prevented UCD’s Ross King from leaving five in it at the break. O’Rorke had the opening score of the second half, but UL gave a sign of what was to come as Cathal McInerney forced Darragh Holohan into a good stop. Morrissey, McGrath and Forde were among the points as they took control and had eight to spare at the end.

RESULT Independent.ie #FitzgibbonCup: University Limerick 3-14 UCD 0-16 - @ul_gaa advance to tomorrow's final #GAA pic.twitter.com/hqqZHL5qjs

— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 26, 2016

Scorers for UL: J McGrath 2-5 (four frees), T Morrissey 0-4, T Heffernan 1-1, J Forde 0-3 (frees), C McInerney 0-1.

Scorers for UCD: O O’Rorke 0-8 (seven frees, one 65), J Maher 0-3, C Cronin, P Guinan 0-2 each, E Conroy 0-1.

UL: P Maher (Moyne-Templetuohy, Tipperary); S Roche (Leitrim-Kilnadeema, Galway), J Broen (Ballyea, Clare), G Ryan (Clarecastle, Clare); B Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg, Tipperary), J Forde (Silvermines, Tipperary), B Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons, Tipperary); A McGuane (Kilmaley, Clare), K Hehir (Inagh-Kilnamona, Clare); D Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona, Clare), J McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney, Tipperary), C Martin (Emeralds, Kilkenny); K O’Brien (Patrickswell, Limerick), T Morrissey (Ahane, Limerick), C McInerney (Cratloe, Clare).

Subs: G Hegarty (St Patrick’s, Limerick) for Stapleton (6-8, blood), T Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg, Tipperary) for Fitzgerald (40), A Murphy (Glenmore, Kilkenny), for McInerney (51), Hegarty for Forde, PJ Scully (Borris-in-Ossory Kilcotton, Laois) for O’Brien, B Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Tipperary) for Morrissey (all 60).

UCD: D Holohan (Dicksboro, Kilkenny); P Hannon (St Mary’s Athenry, Galway), S Murphy (Buffers Alley, Wexford), J Madden (Ballyboden St Enda’s Dublin); H Lawlor (O’Loughlins, Kilkenny), C O’Shea (Clara, Kilkenny), S Moran (Cuala, Dublin); E Conroy (Naomh Éanna, Wexford), C O’Callaghan (Cuala, Dublin); J Maher (St Lachtain’s, Kilkenny), C Cronin (Cuala, Dublin), P Guinan (Drumcullen, Offaly); O O’Rorke (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin), R King (Rathdowney-Errill, Laois), C Devitt (Kilanerin, Wexford).

Subs: J Malone (Cuala, Dublin) for Conroy (43), T Phelan (Conahy Shamrocks, Kilkenny) for King (45), J O’Connor (St Martin’s, Wexford) for Moran (46), C Prendergast (Cuala, Dublin) for Devitt (50), J Mullaney (Stradbally, Waterford).