Waterford Institute of Technology 1-15 University of Limerick 0-9

7-02-1998

In the semi-final of the Higher Education Hurling League Waterford IT had a well deserved victory over University of Limerick. While Waterford’s victory may not be a surprise, the margin of it certainly was. U.L. who have been installed as favourites for the Fitzgibbon were very inferior to their Waterford opponents. U.L. may point to the sending off of full back Tom Hickey after twenty minutes but up to this stage Waterford were by far the superior team. Waterford opened the scoring and added on a further five points before Rory Gantley had UL’s first point. At half time Waterford led by 1-8 to Uls five points. At this stage UL were in trouble all over the field. The second half continued with Waterford doing just enough to keep UL at bay. UL tried everything to break Waterford but a stout Waterford defense allied with some poor UL shooting ensured that the winners maintained their nine point victory. This UL performance has raised many doubts about the form of a team that clearly has massive potential. With the Fitzgibbon Cup just a week away this may just be the shock they needed.

Team and scorers: Damian Garrihy, Eoin O’ Sullivan, Tom Hickey, Donal Murphy, Enda Flannery, Marty Phelan, Jack Foley, John Cormican, Brian O’ Driscoll, Rory McCarthy, Colm O’Doherty, Rory Gantley, Fergal Healy, Jimmy Coogan, Ken O, Shea. Subs: David Forde for Coogan, Eoin Sheedy for O’Doherty, Jimmy D’Arcy for John Cormican