At the half-way point in today's Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup final, UL's Jason Forde had already left an indelible mark on proceedings.
The Tipperary man had scored 1-07 of UL's 1-11 as they led DCU by two points. Over the course of the second half Forde would take his tally to 1-10, further demonstrating what an incredible run of scoring form the Fitzgibbon Cup winner is in.
As Tipperary ran out 3-21 to 1-21 winners against Wexford last weekend, the Nenagh native grabbed 2-09. Between inter-county and colleges hurling however, his form stretches back further still. Across five games against DIT, Clare, Waterford, UCC and IT Carlow, Forde has managed an astounding total of 8-43.
Include today's tally of 1-10 and Forde's 9-53 over 7 games makes him one of the most fearsome forwards in the country.
In front of a crowd of 766 in Mallow, Forde once again stood out in a win that was expected, but perhaps a little more challenging than UL would have wagered on.
Having fallen behind briefly in the first-half when DCU and Waterford man Patrick Curran netted a penalty, a wonderful UL move allowed Forde in for their own reply in kind.
Featuring the likes of Tom Morrissey, Barry Murphy and John McGrath in a tremendous side littered with inter-county talent, it was left to the Tipperary man Forde to finish things off.
Taking a narrow lead into the break, it was steadily built upon by Gary Kirby's side as the second-half progressed. With a wide spread of scorers bearing the burden with Forde, Pat Ryan's goal put things to bed as UL claimed their third Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup in five years.
Much expectation will now surround Forde and a Tipperary side that is looking to make amends for what many will feel was a lost chance winning last year's All-Ireland final.
You can watch the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup back in it's entirety below, but, if you wish to see that first half goal, scroll to 28:00.
