THE four teams for the final weekend of this year's Fitzgibbon Cup hurling tournament should be known by this evening. Tie of the round again involves the holders UCC, whose defeat of neighbours Cork RTC set them up for a tilt at UL in a repeat of last year's final.

The Limerick side had an untaxing opener against TCD in the first round but only learned as much as there is to be learned from 47-point victories. Like their opponents, UL have lost a number of last year's side but enough remain to give them a fairly good chance at the Mardyke.

UCC's full-forward line did most of the damage in the first round and did it by half-time, with captain Kieran Morrison hitting two goals. Today's encounter should be in the balance a bit longer.

The winners face the survivors of Waterford RTC's encounter with DIT. Well prepared by Damien McDonald and Barry Downey, the Dubliners caused a major surprise by eliminating a much-fancied UCG. Dublin panelists Liam Walsh and Gerry Ennis were to the fore and they will be in with a shout against a largely restructured Waterford who are, however, handling the transition smoothly and were seldom troubled by Athlone in the first round.

The meeting of DCU and UUJ at Belfield ensures an unusual name at the final table. Both received byes in the first round and DCU, with the track record of last year's win over Cork RTC to their name, will be expected to advance.

Finally, Garda College meet Maynooth in Westmanstown. Maynooth were convincing winners against Queens last weekend, whereas the Templemore outfit had to dig a lot deeper to lose UCD in their first round.

The wholly unexpected appearance by new recruit to forces of law and order, Clare's Ollie Baker (crime certainly won't pay now), helped turn the match and underlined the Garda College's credentials as likely Fitzgibbon winners in the near future. They are likely to take another step in that direction today.