McGrath finds range as DIT edge win over NUIG
DIT 1-15 NUI Galway 0-17
By Daire Walsh
Fitzgibbon Cup: A 0-8 haul by corner-forward Sean McGrath proved essential at Parnells GAA yesterday as DIT got their Fitzgibbon Cup Group D campaign off to a winning start with a narrow win over NUIG.
A four-point salvo by Kilmacud Crokes’ McGrath, along with a brace from centre-forward Kieran Bergin, had helped DIT towards a three-point cushion (0-6 to 0-3) by the 22nd minute, and even though NUIG kept in touch courtesy of Dean Higgins and Ger O’Donoghue, a couple of late McGrath scores ensured that the Dubliners brought a 0-8 to 0-5 lead into the second period.
Sub Jack Hobbs’ goal five minutes after the restart looked like being the catalyst for DIT to push on for victory, but NUIG reduced their arrears to a minimum thanks to scores from Conor Cleary, Ger Forde and Westmeath’s Niall O’Brien (two), before four points by O’Brien restored parity.
Momentum was with NUIG at this point, but despite adding a 17th point through Clare’s Cleary, points from DIT’s McGrath (free) and McMorrow proved crucial.
Scorers for DIT: S McGrath 0-8 (4f, 2 65s), K Bergin 0-4 (0-1 s/line), J Hobbs 1-0, N McMorrow 0-2, T Connolly 0-1.
Scorers for NUIG: N O’Brien 0-8 (7f), C Cleary 0-3 (3f), N Deasy, D Reidy, G Forde, D Higgins, K Downes, G O’Donoghue 0-1 each.
DIT: F McGarry (Dublin); W Devereux (Wexford), G McManus (Dublin), F Power (Dublin); L Prendergast (Wexford), L Rushe (Dublin), D Horan (Offaly); J Henderson (Wicklow), N McMorrow (Dublin); M Moloney (Kilkenny), K Bergin (Tipperary), T Connolly (Dublin); S Morris (Meath), L Óg McGovern (Wexford), S McGrath (Dublin).
Subs: J Hobbs (Wexford) for Connolly (34), C Robinson (Dublin) for Prendergast (48), P McDonagh (Cork) for Power (55), K Whelan (Wexford) for Henderson (61).
NUIG: K Flynn (Tipperary); D Magner (Offaly), E Fahy (Galway), C Diviney (Galway); O Teagle (Galway), J Hanbury (Galway), G Forde (Galway); C Cleary (Clare), N O’Brien (Westmeath); N Deasy (Clare), D Reidy (Clare), D Higgins (Galway); B Lane (Galway), N Downes (Limerick), G O’Donoghue (Galway).
Subs: JP O’Connell (Galway) for Magner (38), B Phelan (Waterford) for O’Donoghue (44).
Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).