The Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup is down to just four. The semifinals will be played today and both games are set to be enthralling contests. University of Limerick hammered UCC 4-18 to 0-08 and will face DJ Carey's IT Carlow in the semi-final while DCU, fresh from a 2 point win against Mary I, take on Dublin Institute of Technology in the other game.
Here are the five talking points from the quarterfinal showdowns.
DIT Make History
DIT have made their first ever Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final after beating UCD 0-19 to 0-17. It set's up a Dublin rivalry as DIT face DCU next week. Westmeath’s Niall O’Brien contributed 11 points as a hardworking DIT with a strong defence overcame a strong UCD side. The nerve of Dublin's Conor Ryan, who stood and landed a sideline cut to ensure the victory will surely allow him to kick on and make a statement next week.
UL Destroy UCC
4-18 to 0-08. Two of the tournament's powerhouses met in Plassey and one of them sent a message to the other three remaining teams. UL last won the Cup in 2015 but a midfield pairing of Tony Kelly and Paul Maher with Jason Forde and Barry Murphy inside in the forward line ensures this is a star-studded side desperate to reclaim the title.
The result is a huge disappointment for Cork who managed just two points in the second half.
IT Carlow Go Again
Last year's finalists are back in the last four after overcoming Davy Fitzgerald's Limerick IT 1-19 to 0-18. It means already this year they have won every game as they have overcome last year's Champions Mary I, a strong NUIG team away and Trinity College.
DJ Carey's outfit have a legion of skilled hurlers including Wexford's Cathal Dunbar, Waterford's Colin Dunford and Sean Downey of Laois. Carey has unashamedly admitted his goal this year is to win a final which ensures next Tuesday's semi-final against UL is set to be a thriller.
Mary I Three-In-A-Row Dream Is Over
Dublin and Na Fianna's Donal Burke bagged 0-08 points for DCU as they ended any hope of a Mary I three-in-a-row bid. Mary Immaculate College came once again with a superb spine to the team as Cian Lynch, James Mackey and Pa Ryan all got on early ball around the middle of the field but a late rally ensured it was DCU who would advance to next week's clash.
Fitzgibbon Experience Standing To Tony Kelly
Five years ago with LIT Tony Kelly backed up his Hurler of the Year tag as he landed 1-10 and saw 6-1 underdogs shock cross-city rivals UL in the quarter-final.
Kelly is back in a Semi-Final again, this time with UL. He scored 0-03 as UL hammered UCC and is an invaluable presence in the Limerick midfield. Kelly has already won the tournament once, but was denied the opportunity to play in the final in 2016 due to an ankle injury and saw his side knocked out early on last year. He'll be keen to return to a final this year and repeat his man-of-the-match performance from 2016.
The Electric Ireland Sigerson, Fitzgibbon and Higher Education Championships. Taking rivalries to the next level. #FirstClassRivals
