FITZGIBBON CUP/GMIT 1-24  DCU 0-12:JIMMY GELSTON fired nine points for GMIT with the Western college always on top in this Fitzgibbon Cup tie at DCU Sportsground yesterday.

Micheal Geoghegan’s charges never looked troubled as they secured a quarter-final berth, firmly leaving DCU in their wake in the opening stages.

GMIT powered to a 1-9 to 0-0 lead after 14 minutes, following a fourth Gelston score, with the only goal of the hour arriving in the sixth minute.

Clare’s James Liddy breached the DCU goal after great work by Galway’s Ger O’Halloran who burst through from defence, with captain Wayne McNamara also involved, before Liddy fired GMIT 1-3 to 0-0 ahead.

Wexford’s Joe Cullen opened DCU’s account in the 16th minute, with the hosts scoring three out of four points, but GMIT fired four scores in a seven-minute spell to push 1-14 to 0-4 ahead.

DCU lost Peter Gill through a red card before the break, but cut the deficit through scores from Wes O’Brien and Eddie Byrne to leave it 1-14 to 0-6 at the break.

A more competitive second half followed, with fine scores from the likes of Carlow native Byrne for the hosts.

DCU cut the deficit to 10 points with six minutes remaining, but GMIT finished strongly with five unanswered points.

GMIT: J Keane; G O’Halloran, D Maher, B Mulrooney; C Forde, G Mahon, S Coughlan; K Waters, J Hanrahan (0-2); K Greene (0-3), W McNamara (0-1), J Gelston (0-9, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65); N Mannion (0-4), C O’Donnell, J Liddy (1-2). Subs: M Donoghue for Forde (39 mins); B Regan (0-2) for Liddy (47 mins); C O’Brien for Mannion (49 mins); K Feeney (0-1) for McNamara (56 mins); A Lynch for Hanrahan (60 mins).

DCU: B McCormack; C Woodgate, W Eviston, J Whelan; O Ó Maoileidigh, JJ Lennon, P Gill; Q Lynch, A Cash (0-1); C Foley, W O’Brien (0-2), E Byrne (0-4); S Griffith, E Kent (0-4, all frees), J Cullen (0-1). Subs: S Kelly for Woodgate (10 mins); T Ó hUallachain for Griffith (half-time).

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).