Fitzgibbon Cup favourites UL were shocked by IT Carlow while LIT booked their place in the last four of the competition.
Davy Fitzgerald’s Limerick Institute of Technology set up a semi-final date with current holders Mary Immaculate College as they put in a strong second half to defeat the Nicky English managed UCD 1-20 1-13.
Inagh/Kilnamona’s Jason McCarthy hit a last minute goal to seal the win for the Limerick side. Their workrate in the second half was telling as they bridged a three point half-time deficit to claim the win.
Fitzgerald’s lineup included seven Clare men; Eibhear Quilligan, Oisin O’Brien, Cian Nolan, David Reidy, Peter Duggan, Jamie Shanahan and Jason McCarthy started while O’Callaghans Mills man Ciaran Cooney was introduced in the final ten minutes. They will be out for revenge against the holders who defeated them in the semi-finals last year.
Meanwhile there was a major shock earlier in the day as the Brian Lohan managed University of Limerick were left reeling as IT Carlow sent the highly fancied side out of the Fitzgibbon Cup.
Last year’s beaten finalists were rocked by the concession of three goals inside the opening quarter as Mark Russell, Jack Fagan and Martin Kavanagh raised green flags for the DJ Carey managed outfit.
UL recovered in the second half and looked like snatching it with Tony Kelly and David Fitzgerald adding a brace of points. However they were unable to beat Laois’ Enda Rowland between the posts and that proved critical.
Tensions wore high on and off the pitch with Brian Lohan and Michael Dempsey going toe to toe. It was the direct style of play implemented by the Carlow institute that helped create their chances and once in front of the goals they knew exactly what to do. Their win means they will be in action against UCC in the Fitzgibbon Cup weekend which is on Friday February 24th.
Photos courtesy of Seamus McElligott