Garda into last four as Limerick students rue missed opportunities
Garda Training College 1-9
University of Limerick 0-9
by Jim O'Sullivan of the Cork Examiner

GARDA'S success in stopping an injury-time penalty ultimately decided yesterday's absorbing Fitzgibbon Cup hurling quarter-final in Limerick.But as frustrating as that was for University of Limerick and their coach Sean Stack, missed chances earlier on contributed more to their downfall.Conversely, Garda could take great pride in the display of their defence against the wind and the power of the Clare pair Ollie Baker and Ronan O'Hara at midfield. That, and the vital contribution of second-half substitute Niall Moloney earned them their victory.
In the first half, UL's excellent covering, with wing-backs Enda Flannery and Jack Foley, in particular, most effective, enabled them to be on level terms four times over the opening quarter.Two of the Garda scores came from sideline balls struck by Baker, who was often bettered by John Cormican.
On the Limerick side, full-forward Jimmy Coogan threatened a lot, in addition to Wexford's Rory McCarthy and young Galway star Rory Gantley, while Clare panellist David Forde was influential at midfield.Garda's attack didn't function as well as might be expected and half-time was reached with them managing just a two-point advantage, 0-7 to 0-5.
Additionally, referee Sean McMahon, whose general handling was inconsistent, dismissed Garda's Niall O'Donnell and his direct opponent Ken O'Shea - rather harshly - for wrestling.
The second half was less than two minutes old when Niall Moloney goaled for Garda and quickly added a point.
The Limerick students were encouraged when they had three points inside the next seven minutes - one of them a gem from McCarthy. But, even with plenty possession, they were to be limited to a single point before the end. Forde excelled at midfield, where O'Hara was most effective after moving from centre-forward. Baker, too, got in an amount of hard work.
But the real heroes for Garda were centre-back Stephen Hogan, a Lorrha team-mate of coach Ken Hogan, and Damien McCormack at full-back. Jimmy Coogan took the injury-time penalty won by McCarthy but he didn't strike the ball well and, when it bounced loose, Baker doubled on it to ensure Garda's victory.
Scorers: Garda: N. Moloney 1-1; D. Cleere 0-4 (0-3 frees); O. Baker 0-2 (sideline); S. Hogan and A. Flanagan 0-1 each.
UL: J. Coogan 0-5 (0-4 frees); B. Coleman, R. McCarthy, D. Forde and F. Healy 0-1 each.
GARDA: C. Jordan; N. O'Donnell, D. McCormack, B. O'Dwyer (capt.); N. Nash, S. Hogan, K. Long; O. Baker, T. Kavanagh; D. Cleere, R. O'Hara, D. Byrne; J. Smiddy, J. Flanagan, A. Flanagan. Subs: N. Moloney for J. Flanagan (half-time); S. Maher for Smiddy (50th minute); T. Kennedy for Nash (58th).
UL: D. Garrihy; E. O'Sullivan, M. Healy (capt.), D. Murphy; E. Flannery, M. Phelan, J. Foley; D. Forde, J. Cormican; R. McCarthy, B. Coleman, R. Gantley; F. Healy, J. Coogan, K. O'Shea. Subs: B. O'Driscoll for Cormican (36th minute); E. Sheedy for Coleman (50th); C. O'Doherty for Murphy (56th).
Referee: S. McMahon (Clare).