GAELIC GAMES/Fitzgibbon Cup: A magnificent second-half defensive display gave champions Waterford IT a deserved win over University College Dublin in a dour tie at Ballygunner yesterday.

Playing with a strong breeze in the first half, the Waterford side struggled against a strong UCD defence. And with just a minute of play remaining before the break it was looking good for the visitors, as they trailed by just 0-6 to 0-3.

However, late scores by Tommy Holland and Brian Dowling gave WIT some breathing space, though their 0-8 to 0-3 lead at the interval did not look sufficient as they faced into the breeze in the second half.

A point by Brian Dowling two minutes after the restart gave them a six-point lead, and, with Waterford county star Michael Walsh lording it in midfield, the WIT defence took control and, amazingly, UCD could only add two points from frees by Brian Barry in the second half.

Conor Phelan's 49th-minute point, which gave WIT a five-point lead, proved the final score of the game. UCD's only goal chance came in the final minute, but goalkeeper Philip Brennan saved brilliantly from Eamonn Ryan.

WIT: P Brennan (Clare); K Rossiter (Wexford), A Kirwan (Waterford), H Maloney (Tipperary); J Brady (Offaly), PJ Delaney (Kilkenny), T Holland (Clare) (0-1); D Hayes (Galway), M Walsh (Waterford); J Phelan (Kilkenny), J Milne (Offaly), C Phelan (Kilkenny) (0-2); E Reid (Kilkenny) (0-2), J Kennedy (Waterford), B Dowling (Kilkenny) (0-5). Subs: C O'Brien for Hayes, A Cullinane for Kennedy, L Lawlor for Milne.

UCD: B Campion (Laois); D Walton (Tipperary), M Fitzgerald (Cork), E Campion (Kilkenny); C Everard (Tipperary), E Ryan (Tipperary), P Ormonde (Tipperary); B Barry (Kilkenny) (0-3), P McIntyre (Offaly); J O'Connor (Wexford), E O'Gorman (Tipperary), P Morrissey (Tipperary) (0-1), A Smith (Galway) (0-1), T Fitzgerald (Tipperary), D Fogarty (Kilkenny). Sub: A Fleming for Fitzgerald, C Ryan for Fogarty.

Referee: J Guinan (Kilkenny).