Red-hot McGrath denies NUIG
DIT 1-15 NUIG 0-17
Corner-forward Sean McGrath’s eight-point haul proved essential as DIT held off a strong challenge from NUIG in Coolock.
Westmeath’s Niall O’Brien opened the scoring for NUIG, but a four-point salvo from McGrath, along with a brace from Kieran Bergin, helped DIT to a 0-6 to 0-3 lead.
NUIG kept in touch through Dean Higgins and Ger O’Donoghue, but DIT had a 0-8 to 0-5 lead at half-time after two more McGrath scores.
Substitute Jack Hobbs scored an opportunistic goal five minutes after the restart, but NUIG reduced the arrears to the minimum after quick-fire scores from Conor Cleary, Ger Forde and O’Brien (two).
Two eye-catching points from Bergin, along with one each from McGrath and Niall McMorrow, helped DIT to reinforce their superiority, but four points from O’Brien restored parity with six minutes left.
But points from McGrath (free) and McMorrow swung it in DIT’s favour.
Scorers – DIT: S McGrath 0-8 (4fs, 2 ’65’), K Bergin 0-4 (0-1 s/line), J Hobbs 1-0, N McMorrow 0-2, T Connolly 0-1. NUIG: N O’Brien 0-8 (7fs), C Cleary 0-3 (3fs), N Deasy, D Reidy, G Forde, D Higgins, K Downes, G O’Donoghue 0-1 each.
DIT – F McGarry; W Devereux, G McManus, F Power; L Prendergast, L Rushe, D Horan; J Henderson, N McMorrow; M Moloney, K Bergin, T Connolly; S Morris, L Og McGovern, S McGrath. Subs: J Hobbs for Connolly (34), C Robinson for Prendergast (48), P McDonagh for Power (55), K Whelan for Henderson (61).
NUIG – K Flynn; D Magner, E Fahy, C Diviney; O Teagle, J Hanbury, G Forde; C Cleary, N O’Brien; N Deasy, D Reidy, D Higgins; B Lane, N Downes, G O’Donoghue. Subs: JP O’Connell for Magner (38), B Phelan for O’Donoghue (44).
REF – B Gavin (Offaly).