A point from substitute Matt Whelan deep into injury-time sent University of Limerick into the semi-finals of the Fitzgibbon Cup, at the expense of CIT, at Limerick yesterday.

Whelan had come on to the field only five minutes earlier, and his last-gasp point meant heartbreak for the Cork side, who were headed for the first time.

The first half was a rousing affair with quality hurling from both teams.

The only goal came after 19 minutes when Niall Teehan swept the ball past goalkeeper Tadgh Flynn to give Cork Institute of Technology the initiative at 1-5 to 0-5.

The winners' goalkeeper Anthony Nash pointed a long-range free after half an hour's play to make it 1-6 to 0-5 at the interval.

The Limerick college upped the tempo on the change of ends and Brendan Bugler and Paul Flynn soon narrowed the gap.

However, Cork IT weathered the storm and assumed control again over the next 15 minutes, to lead 1-8 to 0-7, and they were looking good for victory.

But UL produced a late surge, with top scorer Alan Egan, from Offaly, bringing them closer, before the same player levelled on 60 minutes.

Shortly afterwards, Whelan delivered the match-winning point.

UL will now play city rivals Limerick IT in the semi finals in Carlow on Friday week.

UL: T Flynn; C Joyce, A Murphy, P Dowling; S O'Brien, B Bugler (0-2), T Stapleton; S Ryan, N Murphy; A Kennedy (0-1), A O'Cairrealain, P Flynn (0-1); R Ruth, P Donnellan (0-2), A Egan (0-6). Subs: J Green for Ruth; M Whelan (0-1) for Kennedy.

CIT: A Nash (0-1); M Ryan, J Murphy, S Murphy; E Dillons, R Cashman, S Horan; J Griffin (0-1), M Fennelly (0-1); B Corry, M O'Sullivan (0-3), C Naughton (0-1); E Desmond, N Teehan (1-1), B Ring (0-1). Sub: M Dunne for Griffin.

Referee: J Healy (Clare).