Waterford retain Fitzgibbon Cup

Waterford IT retained their Datapac Fitzgibbon Cup title – a sixth success for the south East men since their maiden victory in 1992 – eating up the ground on UCC in the final twenty minutes at Athlone IT, to win 0-11 to 0-9.

Against the wind, Waterford rallied with scores from to overhaul Cork who had established a 0-8 to 0-6 lead at the break, with a last minute free from Wexford senior Rory Jacob being the clinching score.

Kilkenny forward James Fitzpatrick was in impressive form for UCC in the first half, hitting four points from play and into a stiff breeze. His inter county compatriot Tommy Walsh (0-2), Cork’s Mark O’Connor (1 65’) and Tipp’s Mark O’Leary saw them hold a two-point advantage into the second half.

Fitzpatrick angled over a 53rd minute free to draw the sides level again at 0-9 apiece after Jacob and Brian Dowling had pointed Waterford in front. But Galway half forward Peter Garvey found his range with six minutes remaining and Jacob’s placed ball saw WIT win out.

Kilkenny centre back Ken Coogan again claimed the man-of-the-match award, repeating his commanding display in last year’s 0-13 to 0-7 win over Cork IT.

Earlier Cork College of Further Education came from behind to win the Datapac Ryan Cup for the second time, defeating St Pat’s of Drumcondra, 2-11 to 2-9 in the early throw-in at AIT.

Erin’s Own full forward Ciaran O’Leary claimed the man-of-the-match award with two goals either side of half time to give the Cork men the win, adding to their first final win over Sligo IT, four years ago.

Castlebar IT claimed the Fergal Maher final at Garrycastle with Gavin Keary (2-8), Sean Callinan (1-3) and one point apiece from Emmet Diffley and Will O’Halloran seeing them 3-13 to 1-5 victors over Letterfrack.

Scorers: Waterford IT: R Jacob 0-4 (2f), B Dowling 0-3, C Phelan, P Garvey, M Walsh, A Owens 0-1 each

UCC: J Fitzpatrick 0-5 (1f), T Walsh 0-2, M O’Connor 0-1 (1 65’), M O’Leary 0-1

WATERFORD IT: P Brennan; C O'Neill, K Coogan, JJ Delaney; T Holland, K Rossiter, A Cullinane; M Walsh, D Hayes; J Phelan, P Garvey, C Phelan; R Jacob, A Owens, B Dowling.

UCC: R O'Neill; J Tennyson, C Hickey, M Phelan; T Kenny, K Hartnett, E Hanley; T Walsh, M O'Connor; M O'Leary, E Conway, S O'Sullivan; J Fitzpatrick, E Collins, N Maloney.

DATAPAC FERGAL MAHER CUP FINAL:

LETTERFRACK 1-5

CASTLEBAR IT 3-13

At Garrycastle, 12pm

DATAPAC RYAN CUP FINAL:

ST PAT’S CE 2-9

CORK COLL OF FE 2-11

At the Athlone IT grounds, 1.30pm