Backboned by a number of inter-county senior players from Cork and Tipperary, IT Cork had little difficulty in disposing of the tissue-like challenge of IT Limerick in this Fitzgibbon Cup clash at Pairc Ui Chaoimh yesterday.

The home side showed little sympathy for the visitors, who arrived 35 minutes late after their bus had broken down en route, and they had this game well and truly won long before the final whistle.

Tipperary senior Eugene O'Neill began the rout in the second minute with a marvellous goal. With Limerick powerless to prevent the inevitable, Cork struck for two further goals in the 21st and 22nd minutes to lead 3-9 to 0-7 at half-time.

There was no let-up by the Cork side on the changeover and with Pat Mulcahy, Pat Ryan and O'Neill in outstanding form, they struck a succession of points to stretch their lead to 3-20 to 0-10 with time almost up.

A goal from a 20-metre free score by their best forward Ben O'Connor put some respectability on the scoreboard for the Limerick side.

IT Cork IT: D Og Cusack; M O'Callaghan, S Doyle, M O'Brien; J Sheehan (0-1), P Mulcahy, W O'Brien; P Ryan (0-4), N Laehart; V O'Brien, J O'Driscoll (1-2), J Dwyer (0-3); G O'Connor (1- 1), P Sexton (0-2), E O'Neill (1-7).

IT Limerick: S Quinn; N Curran, B Duggan, S O'Brien; D Conway, M O'Hara, D Mulkerins; J Mescall, C Hickey; P Barry, G Nestor, G Hickey; A O'Rahilly (0-1), M Morrissey, B O'Connor (1-7). Sub: G Howard (0-2) for G Hickey.

Referee: J Kearney (Cork).

University College Cork will defend the Ashbourne Cup which is being hosted by the University of Limerick next weekend. UCC will play UCD at 1.0 p.m. in the first semi-final followed by WIT and UCG at 3.0 with the final scheduled for Sunday at 2.0 p.m.

PLATE Semi-finals - UL v Queen's, 1.0; AIT v UUJ.