Early goals set UL on their way to last four of Fitzgibbon Cup

Tipperary panel member Gearoid O’Connor was impressive with eight points

University of Limerick proved too good for MTU Cork in Tuesday night’s Fitzgibbon Cup clash. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
University of Limerick proved too good for MTU Cork in Tuesday night’s Fitzgibbon Cup clash. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

University of Limerick 2-22 MTU Cork 1-19

Early goals from Waterford’s Michael Kiely and Clare’s Mark Rogers set UL on their way to the last four of the Fitzgibbon Cup.

This victory was comfortable, despite a late rally from MTU Cork who struggled early on with their opponents. Flying out of the traps on the 4G pitch in Limerick, the hosts looked to seal this contest early on and looked comfortable when leading by nine at the interval.

They scored an impressive 2-12 to 0-9 in the opening half with Tipperary panel member Gearoid O’Connor impressive in the half-forward line. Niall Brennan also impressed with five points, including three in the opening nine minutes of the second-half. There could have been more green flags but for good work from Ger Collins in the MTU goal.

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MTU Cork had a late 1-1 from substitute Declan Hanlon, but despite getting back to within five points never looked like overturning the impressive Brian Ryan managed UL.

University of Limerick: E Davis; D Treacy, TJ Brennan, M Gough; K Sampson (0-1), B O'Mara, C Galvin; B O'Sullivan, C Connolly (0-1); N Brennan (0-5), G O'Connor (0-8, 0-4 frees), B O'Grady (0-1); B Power (0-1), M Rogers (1-1), M Kiely (1-2).

Subs: C Flaherty (0-1) for Galvin, R Duff for O’Sullivan (both h-t), C Comerford for Connolly (45 mins), R Hayes (0-1) for Sampson (49 mins), C O’Grady for Brennan (55 mins).

MTU Cork: G Collins; B Murphy, W Hurley, L Ryan; S Keoghan, P O'Flynn, J Cranny; B Twomey (0-1), S Quirke; T Howard (0-3), L O'Shea (0-9, 0-6 frees), A Walsh (0-2); B Kehoe (0-1), P Creedon (0-1), J Mulcahy.

Subs: A O’Connell (0-1) for Mulcahy (29 mins), E Collins for Cranny (37 mins), D Hanlon (1-1) for Kehoe (50 mins), C Hickey for O’Flynn (53 mins).

Referee: L Gordon (Galway)