NUI Galway 0-12 Dublin IT 1-8: A POINT from a free in the final minute from captain Finian Coone ensured a winning start to the Fitzgibbon Cup for NUIG at Dangan in Galway yesterday.

Dublin IT had two late chances to salvage a draw, but Paul Ryan hit the post with a free and Michael Maloney was short with a 65 with the last puck of the game.

NUIG raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after five minutes and led by 0-9 to 0-3 at the break with Coone and Galway centre back John Lee picking off some great points.

But Dublin IT never gave up and a couple of points from Kilkenny star Willie O’Dwyer hauled them back into contention.

A delivery from David Treacy broke in front of the NUIG goal after 49 minutes and Dublin’ Paul Ryan levelled. It remained that way until Coone struck late on.

NUIG: D Tuohy; D Nash, P Nihill, N Casey; D O'Donovan (0-1), J Lee (0-2), P Kelly; D Connolly, S Hennessy (0-1); D Barrett (0-1), K Keehan, K Heagney; G Kelly, F Coone (0-6, three frees), J O'Gorman (0-1). Subs: S Quinlan for Kelly (47 mins); P Gordon for Casey (54 mins); E Noone for Connolly (60 mins).

DUBLIN IT: F McGarry; C O'Shaughnessy, T Brady, E Costello; M Maloney, S Walsh, P Lynch; P Phelan, J Clarke; P Kelly (0-1), P Hartley, W O'Dwyer (0-2); P Morris, H Kehoe (0-1), P Ryan (1-4, thee frees). Subs: F Cullen for Phelan (33 mins); D O'Dwyer for Morris (44 mins); D Treacy for Kelly (44 mins).

Referee: A Kelly(Galway).