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Gaffney goes on goal trail for LIT

FITZGIBBON CUP QUARTER-FINALS: Limerick IT 6-16 NUIG 0-9: BERNARD GAFFNEY went on a scoring spree which yielded a personal haul…

Wed Feb 16 2011 - 00:00

FITZGIBBON CUP QUARTER-FINALS: Limerick IT 6-16 NUIG 0-9:BERNARD GAFFNEY went on a scoring spree which yielded a personal haul of 3-3 and Limerick IT had their semi-final place booked as early as the 11th minute by which stage they led 2-5 to 0-1.

Willie Hyland put over a spectacular point to open the scoring in the first minute followed by a free by Gaffney. It was Hyland’s turn again after three minutes and Stephen Lambert made it 0-4 to nil. A delightful pass by Lambert set up the next Limerick point after eight minutes.

At this stage LIT were playing some delightful hurling and their accurate passing caused mayhem for the NUIG defenders.

Two goals in as many minutes killed the game off. Three players, Seán Tobin, Seán Collins and Donie Reale created the first of Gaffney’s goals after 10 minutes and seconds later Collins raced past several defenders before planting the ball past Donal Tuohy in the NUIG goal.

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Caiman Morey hit NUIG’s point from the 65 but this could not spark life into his side despite pointing a free a minute later. By half-time Limerick led by a whopping 4-11 to 0-4.

Just in case NUIG contemplated a comeback, Gaffney pointed a free immediately on the restart and then he got a goal to have his side 5-12 to 0-4. There was no stopping Limerick and with James McInerney scoring the last point of the game from all of 80 yards.

Conor Cooney, McInerney and Pat Donnellan snuffed out all NUIG’s attempts on goal and Limerick duo Paul Browne and Paudie O’Brien lorded matters at midfield and created countless chances for those in front with Gaffney, Hyland and Seán Tobin all in scoring form. It was fitting that Gaffney scored goal number six when he kicked the ball to the net.

NUIG were a huge disappointment and the best that can be said is they never ceased trying. Domhnall O’Donovan, Rory Shanahan and Niall Burke did their utmost.

LIMERICK IT:M Ryan; E Glynn, C Cowan, C Cooney; P Donnellan, J McInerney (0-1), J O'Keeffe; P Browne (1-1), P O'Brien (0-1); S Collins (1-1), W Hyland (0-4), D Reale (0-2); S Lambert (0-2), B Gaffney (3-3, 0-2 frees), S Tobin (1-1). Subs: J Hayes for McInerney, M McMahon for O'Brien, B Glynn for Browne, G Power for Hyland.

NUIG:D Tuohy; D Nash, P Gordan, S McCormack; P Kelly (0-1), P Nihill, M Keating; E Noone, D O'Donovan; R Shanahan, J Conlon (0-1), JP O'Connell; G Kelly (0-1), C Morey (0-4, three frees), N Burke (0-2). Subs: J O'Gorman for Shanahan, S Brennan for Kelly, S Glynn for Noone, M Kelly for Nihill.

RefereeB Gavin (Offaly).