Waterford Institute of Technology survived yesterday's main event in the Bus Eireann Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-finals in style by defeating the highly-regarded Cork IT at Carrigeen in Kilkenny. In a physical but exciting encounter, WIT recovered from a six-point interval deficit to run out 0-15 to 0-11 winners.
A disappointed CIT coach John Meyler identified a stunning performance by opposition goalkeeper Kevin O'Brien. "He made three saves which would have been goals. They were the turning points. He broke us."
CIT finished the match with 13 men. Full back Shane Doyle got the line early in the match and centre-fielder Noel Lehert joined him in the closing stages. "It wasn't a dirty match," said Meyler, "and we recovered well from the first sending-off, actually played better and were flying."
Trailing by 0-3 to 0-9 at half-time, WIT played very well to level the match by the end of the third quarter. The introduction of Michael Beavins also worked well as with his first touch, he put Waterford into the lead in the 47th minute.
Andy Moloney, who showed strongly in the closing stages, Henry Shefflin, Alan Geoghegan and Niall Ronan were others to make a major contribution for the winners who now meet the host Garda College in the semi-finals on February 27th.
Garda College, 5-9 to 3-9 winners over NUI Galway, flourished on the basis of a top-class display by John Flanagan, who scored three goals which ensured success. They led by 1-8 to 1-5 at half-time.
The second half was something of a goal-rush, starting with a 13-metre free which Ger Flannagan goaled. NUIG's Jarlath Bolger replied with a goal two minutes later to leave the winners ahead by 2-8 to 2-6.
John Flannagan's three goals came in the final 12 minutes and whereas NUIG had a consolation goal through Eddie Brady, at the finish Garda College had progressed.
An exhibition of point-scoring by John Murphy powered holders UCC to an emphatic victory over DCU in their quarter-final at the Mardyke.
Taking over the free-taking duties from the injured John Enright, Murphy hit over five points in the opening half to help his side to an interval lead of 0-7 to 0-5. The second half belonged entirely to the home side with John Browne playing superbly in defence, while Murphy added three further points without reply to crush the Dubliner university's challenge. They now meet UCD in the semi-final.
Waterford IT - 0-15, Cork IT - 0-11
