SETU Waterford manager Fintan O'Connor. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup Quarter-Final
SETU Waterford 1-19 SETU Carlow 1-13
By Tomas McCarthy
The Fitzgeralds stole the show as SETU Waterford progressed to the Fitzgibbon Cup semi finals at SETU Carlow's expense.
Ballygunner hot shot Patrick Fitzgerald struck 1-4 from play for Fintan O'Connor's side, including a decisive second half goal, while Kilrossanty attacker Padraig Fitzgerald fired six points from play. At the other end, Fourmilewater defender Tom Barron man marked Kilkenny star Eoin Cody.
A Cody goal helped SETU Carlow into a slender lead at the break but they could only add four points in the second period. Chris Nolan scored seven points for Seamus Plunkett's charges (six from play). Both sides finished with 14 men, in a fractious finish, as Padraig Fitzgerald picked up his second yellow card and Nolan got a straight red.
The sides were level seven times in an end to end first half. Chris Nolan's fourth point in injury time edged SETU Carlow ahead at the break (1-9 to 0-11). On 14 minutes, Nolan beat two Waterford defenders but saw his shot saved by Barry Hennessy. Eoin Cody flicked home the rebound (1-5 to 0-5). Tom Barron followed the 2023 All Star everywhere he went.
SETU Waterford dragged themselves back on level terms. Padraig Fitzgerald sent over five points from play while Patrick Fitzgerald hit two. The home side were guilty of six wides, however.
The first four points of the second period belonged to the Waterford students with Sean Walsh, Padraig Fitzgerald and Reuben Halloran all on target.
Eoin Cody registered three wides in a row before Chris Nolan took over the dead ball duties. The Carlow forward landed a long range free to leave them just a point down entering the last quarter (0-15 to 1-11).
The hard working Walsh shot his third point of the night after a precise pass from Halloran. With 12 minutes left, Patrick Fitzgerald rifled the sliotar to the roof of the net and put the game beyond their south east rivals.
Scorers for SETU Waterford: Patrick Fitzgerald 1-4, Padraig Fitzgerald 0-6, R Halloran 0-5 (5fs), S Walsh 0-3, J Fitzgerald 0-1.
Scorers for SETU Carlow: C Nolan 0-7 (1f), E Cody 1-3 (3fs), J Buggy 0-2 (1f), J Nolan 0-1.
SETU Waterford (Waterford Unless Stated): B Hennessy (Kilmallock, Limerick); C King (Carrig Riverstown, Offaly), T Barron (Fourmilewater), P Wickham (St Abbans Adamstown, Wexford); G Cullinane (Passage), R Hanley (Kilmallock, Limerick), J Fitzgerald (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg); B Power (Clonea), W Beresford (Abbeyside); S Walsh (Carrigtwohill, Cork), G Fives (Cappoquin), R Halloran (De La Salle); Patrick Fitzgerald (Ballygunner), C Ryan (Roanmore), Padraig Fitzgerald (Kilrossanty).
SETU Carlow: J Lawlor (Ferns St Aidan's, Wexford); P Casey (Olyegate-Glenbrien, Wexford), D Palmer (Camross, Laois), C Corcoran (Faythe Harriers, Wexford); G Lynch (Ballinakill, Laois), R Mullaney (Castletown, Laois), K Moynihan (Na Piarsaigh, Cork); J Fogarty (Moneygall, Tipperary), J Nolan (Mount Leinster Rangers, Carlow); J Buggy (Erins Own, Kilkenny), A Dunphy (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton, Laois), D O'Donovan (St Mary's Cork); C Nolan (Mount Leinster Rangers, Carlow), E Cody (Shamrocks Ballyhale, Kilkenny), T Keyes (Camross, Laois).
Sub: E English (Ballinkillen, Carlow) for Palmer (18).
Referee: J Keenan (Wicklow).
