Donal Burke amassed an impressive 0-13 to give DCU the perfect start to their Fitzgibbon Cup Group A campaign at St Clare’s yesterday.

Despite the best efforts of Cian Darcy and Kyle Hayes for their opponents, the Dublin outfit are on the brink of reaching the knockout stages ahead of next Sunday’s trip to Maynooth University. UL, on the other hand, will seek to get their season back on track when they host to Trinity.

With Darcy and Limerick forward Hayes in fine form, six-time champions UL moved three points clear on 11 minutes. However, the longer the contest progressed, the more assured the hosts became.

Dublin senior Burke ended the opening period with 0-6 to his name and it was his stoppage-time free that edged DCU in front at the break (0-9 to 0-8). Darcy – who amassed 0-15 – restored parity on the restart and there was little to separate the sides.

Yet, unanswered points courtesy of Burke (two), Dublin’s Fergal Whitely and Kilkenny’s John Donnelly provided DCU with sufficient breathing space.

Scorers – DCU: D Burke 0-13 (11f); B Ryan, F Whitely 0-2 each; D Reck, C Firman, J Donnelly, R O’Connor 0-1 each. UL: C Darcy 0-15 (10f); K Hayes 0-2; R Hayes 0-1.

DCU – O Foley; L Gannon, P Smyth, J Curran; B Ryan, C Burke, D Gray; D Reck, C Firman; F Whitely, R O’Connor, J Donnelly; C Hearne, J Burke, D Burke. Subs: R Boran for Hearne (48), J Ryan for Reck (56), J Roberts for Firman, D O’Brien for D Burke (both 62).

UL – B Hogan; C O’Callaghan, M Carey, E Gunning; P Campion, B O’Mara, R Lynch; B McGrath, J Shelly; R Hayes, K Hayes, P O’Loughlin; R Considine, C Darcy, B Power. Subs: K McDermott for McGrath (40), S Neville for Power (45), K McDonald for Lynch (52), J Kenny for Considine, O Flannery for R Hayes (both 55).