UCD 2-13 Limerick IT 0-11:UCD have not won the Fitzgibbon Cup since 2001. Pulling out of the Walsh Cup signalled the intent of the 30-time winners to put that right, and yesterday at Belfield they comfortably dispensed with Limerick IT.
Victory for UCD virtually secures a home quarter-final as rank outsiders DCU make up a three-team group.
They were missing Kilkenny trio John Tennyson, Cillian Buckley and Walter Walsh through injury but still claimed a routine win.
The sides were level six times in the opening half before Tipp star Noel McGrath edged UCD a point clear at half-time, 0-8 to 0-7.
Gary Guilfoyle restored parity early in the second half but goals from Kilkenny’s Michael Brennan and Guiney put the result beyond doubt.