Fitzgibbon Cup Group B
WIT 2-21
DCU 1-12
February 4th, 2016
DCU’s hopes of advancing from their Fitzgibbon Cup group came to an end on Thursday night, February 4th, after a 12 point defeat to Waterford Institute of Technology in Carriganore in front of a sizeable crowd.
Led by Austin Gleeson, Liam McGrath and Johnny Hayes (who scored 1-2), WIT proved too strong for the North Dublin side in their home ground.
First half goals from Johnny Hayes and Jack Langton brought WIT in at the break leading by 2-12 to DCU’s 0-7 and left DCU with it all to do in the second half.
Liam McGrath opened the scoring with a free as WIT scored four before DCU opened their account through Killian Fitzgerald scoring a great point from the right sideline.
Points from Peter Hogan and Danny Sutcliffe came before Johnny Hayes tore through the DCU defence to bat the ball past the on-rushing Cormac Ryan in the goal, getting clattered in the process.
Both teams exchanged points until a hopeful attempt at a score from Jack Langton was dropped by Cormac Ryan in the DCU goal and ended up in the net as WIT opened up a 7 point lead.
As the break neared, a Danny Sutcliffe-marauding run was halted leading to Austin Gleeson pointing from the half way line as WIT continued to dominate the game.
The second half began just like the first as WIT got the scoring underway with Liam McGrath linking up with Austin Gleeson who sent the ball straight between the posts.
DCU’s star man Danny Sutcliffe went close moments later when he evaded the tackles of four WIT backs before smashing the ball off the crossbar, having to settle for a point instead of what would have been a superb goal.
DCU did get their goal 5 minutes later when Peter Hogan, one of the DCU’s more lively forwards, was dragged down in the square leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty.
Cathal Curran stepped up sending Mark Fanning the wrong way with a sublime finish right in the top corner.
That goal was as good as it got for DCU as WIT closed the game out without their star man Gleeson, who was brought off with a knock 10 minutes from time, to win on a scoreline of 2-21 to 1-12.
That lead could have been even bigger was it not for WIT shooting a total of 13 wides during the game compared to DCU’s five.
This defeat and their opening group game loss to DJ Carey’s Institute of Technology Carlow means DCU go into their final group game against St. Patrick’s College with nothing to play for.
WIT however, have won two from two and last years beaten finalists look well set to make it to the later stages yet again.
DCU: Cormac Ryan, James Tyrrell, Eoghan O’Donnell, Paul O’Dea, Tony French, Paudie Foley, Dan Staunton (0-1), Sean Gray, Cathal Curran (1-1), Danny Sutcliffe (0-4, 0-3f), Conor Joyce (0-1), Killian Fitzgerald (0-3), Daire Barden, Niall O’Connor (0-1), Peter Hogan (0-1). Subs used; Paddy Lynam, Cathal Scally.
WIT: Mark Fanning, Willie Hahessy, Ger Teehan, Jerome Maher, Tom Fox, Joe O’Dwyer, Frank McGrath, Jack Langton (1-00), Stephen Roche (0-1), Owen McGrath (0-1), Austin Gleeson (0-4), Johnny Hayes (1-2), Liam McGrath (0-8, 0-3f), Mark Lynch, Ciarán O’Brien (0-2). Subs used; Conor Brophy, Shane McNulty, John Doyle, Jack Buckley (0-1).
Cormac O’Shea
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