INDEPENDENT.IE HIGHER EDUCATION FITZGIBBON CUP GROUP B: ST PAT'S 2-14 IT CARLOW 4-17

IT Carlow all but booked their place in the last eight of the Fitzgibbon Cup on Wednesday afternoon in Glasnevin, comfortably defeating St Pat's Drumcondra at the grounds of Na Fianna GAA.

Waterford's Patrick Curran had the ball in the net for St Pat's inside a minute but his county colleague Colin Dunford replied instantly with one for IT Carlow. The dramatic start continued, and two minutes later Chris Bolger goaled for IT Carlow, leaving them 2-1 to 1-0 ahead after just four minutes.

Bolger's second goal at the start of the second quarter pushed IT Carlow into a 3-3 to 1-3 lead and they led by five, 3-6 to 1-7, at the break.

St Pat's fashioned a spirited comeback early in the second half, Eoin McIntyre's goal sparking a revival which left them just three points behind going into the final 15 minutes.

However, Laois star Stephen Maher and Dunford became increasingly influential in the closing stages and points from Maher, followed by a goal from Dunford, his second of the day, closed out the win for IT Carlow, who top Group B going into their final game against Waterford IT.