NUIG 1-26 GMIT 3-18 (After extra-time )
The Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup frequently provides drama with this semi-final between rivals NUIG and GMIT going the distance.
NUIG eventually prevailed fending off GMIT’s spirited challenge to set up a final meeting against either IT Carlow or UL, who clash on Thursday evening.
It will be a stern assignment for NUIG, who have not won the third level competition since 2010.
GMIT can reflect on a hugely encouraging campaign as this was another committed display coming from 10 points down in the second half to force extra-time.
With 27 Galway natives involved between the two starting XVs this game had significant local interest. GMIT’s return as a respected team in the competition illustrates the progress that has been made, but this tussle against NUIG was always going to be revealing.
So it proved in an opening period that was controlled by NUIG, who dealt with the concession of a 10th minute goal impressively. Initially NUIG, with Evan Niland, Conor Walsh, and Cian Lynch effective in attack, accumulated a 0-6 to 0-3 advantage before GMIT responded.
Paddy Commins’ initial attempt spilled kindly for Kevin Cooney, who planted a goal to level. NUIG, though, refused to be perturbed with Oisín Flannery and Niland (free ) mining points for Jeffrey Lynskey’s outfit.
Cooney replied with a free for GMIT, but again NUIG, with Lynch splendid, registered 1-5 on the spin. A Lynch effort struck the woodwork with Fionn McDonagh reacting promptly to release John Fleming, who drilled an opportunistic goal.
Five further NUIG points followed from Mark Kennedy, Niland (two ), Lynch, and Fleming as suddenly GMIT were in deep distress. There was nothing wrong with GMIT’s attitude or application, but NUIG were sufficiently crafty to lead 1-15 to 1-6 at the turnaround.
When the action recommenced GMIT remained defiant narrowing the gap in the closing stages. At one stage NUIG edged 1-20 to 1-10 ahead, but then GMIT scored 1-4 unanswered.
Substitute Enda Egan poked home a 49th minute goal and when Cooney converted a free the margin was down to 1-20 to 2-14. Suddenly NUIG were worried with Niland rifling over an important free, but GMIT finished strongly.
Cooney’s free trimmed the gap to three and then Jack Forde appeared to get the last touch as the sliotar hit the back of the NUIG net to ensure 20 more minutes were required.
In extra-time Niland nailed five points for NUIG, who just about survived.
Scorers for NUIG: Evan Niland 0-16 (11fs ), John Fleming 1-2, Cian Lynch, Mark Kennedy, and Fionn McDonagh 0-2 each, Jack Fitzpatrick and Oisín Flannery 0-1 each.
Scorers for GMIT: Kevin Cooney 1-10 (10fs ), Jack Forde and Enda Egan 1-0 each, Conor Gardinder 0-2, Luke Prendergast, Sean McDonagh, Cianan Fahy, AJ Willis, Adam Clarke, and Paddy Commins 0-1 each
NUIG: Liam Reilly; Eoin Lawless, Jack Fitzpatrick, Conor Caulfield; Caimin Killeen, Darren Morrissey, Mark Gill; Oisín Flannery, Diarmuid Kilcommins; Conor Walsh, Evan Niland, Fionn McDonagh; Cian Lynch, John Fleming, Mark Kennedy.
Subs: Paddy Dunleavy for Morrissey (19 ), Ian McGlynn for Flannery (48 ), Cian Salmon for McDonagh (48 ), Philip Hickey for Kilcommins (57 ), Daniel Loftus for Dunleavy (60 ), Adrian Prendergast for Walsh (72 ), Liam Forde for Kennedy (77 )
GMIT: Darrach Fahy; Luke Prendergast, Seán Neary, Kieran Meehan; Jack Forde, Cianan Fahy, Adam Clarke; Patrick Foley, Aaron O’Shaughnessy; Conor Gardiner, AJ Willis, Kevin Cooney; Donal Mannion, Seán McDonagh, Paddy Commins.
Subs: Enda Egan for Willis (HT ), Evan Duggan for Commins (57 ), Peter Martin for Mannion (57 ), Darren Duggan for O’Shaughnessy (60 ), Evan Hunt for Meehan (68 ), Paddy Commins for Duggan (75 )
REFEREE: Liam Gordon.
