UL put three past UCD to reach Fitzgibbon Cup final

UL 3-14 UCD 0-16

Tipperary's John McGrath wrecked UCD's double dream as holders UL reached another Fitzgibbon Cup final following an improved second-half display at Cork IT on Friday.

He struck for the first of his two goals after 41 minutes, when deflecting Jason Forde’s free to the net for a 1-9 to 0-10 lead.

And McGrath eventually killed off UCD’s stubborn challenge by catching Conor Martin’s long range delivery and firing past Darragh Holohan three minutes from the end.

And he turned provider a minute later, when picking out the unmarked Tommy Heffernan for UL's third goal.

The champions struggled to make an impression on a solid UCD defence during a low-key opening half with only the magnificent Tom Morrissey capable of making an impact at centre-forward.

Some poor shooting also added to the Limerick students’ struggles, registering half-a-dozen wides in the period as UCD led by 0-9 to 0-7 at the break.

And it could have been more but for a brilliant save by goalkeeper Paul Maher just before the interval, when he diverted Ross King's stinging shot around the post.

UL were a different side on the resumption and it needed a point-blank save from UCD netminder Darragh Holden to keep out Cathal McInerney’s strong shot.

There was no stopping UL, however, as they added 1-5 without response to surge 1-12 to 0-10 in front before UCD rallied with four answered points, including a super effort from Kilkenny's James Maher.

But UL came again with a flourish near the end to book their place in the decider as UCD’s efforts for that much-needed goal failed to materialise against a sturdy UL rearguard.

UL: P Maher; S Roche, J Browne, captain, G Ryan; B Heffernan, J Forde (0-3 frees), B Stapleton; A McGuane, K Hehir; D Fitzgerald, J McGrath (2-5, four frees), C Martin; K O'Brien, T Morrissey (0-4), C McInerney (0-1). Subs: T Heffernan (1-1) for Fitzgerald 46 mins, A Murphy for McInerney 51 mins, G Hegarty for Forde 59 mins, PJ Scully for O'Brien 61 mins, B Maher for Morrissey 62 mins

UCD: D Holohan; P Hannon, S Murphy, J Madden; H Lawlor, C O'Shea, captain, S Moran; E Conroy (0-1), C O'Callaghan; J Maher (0-3), C Cronin (0-2), P Guinan (0-2); R King, O Rorke (0-8, seven frees, one'65), C Devitt. Subs: J Malone for Conroy 43 mins, T Phelan for King 45 mins, J O'Connor for Moran 46 mins, C Prendergast for Devitt 50 mins, J Mullaney for Cronin 56 mins

Referee: C McAllister (Cork)