HOLDERS University of Limerick (UL) and Mary Immaculate College Limerick (Mary I) have won through to contest the Fitzgibbon Cup (third-level colleges’ hurling) final at Croke Park on Friday week (February 13).
UL recorded a 0-18 to 1-13 home win over University of Galway.
Adam English (Doon) and Cathal O’Neill (Crecora/Manister) were significant enforced absentees for the local team.
The side featured Ballybrown pair Colin Coughlan, captain, and Aidan O’Connor.
Tipperary All-Ireland medal winner Darragh McCarthy and Offaly’s Adam Screeney were chief scorers for Brian Ryan’s side.
In Dublin, Mary I bettered DCU Dóchas Éireann, 0-31 to 2-16, after extra-time.
It was just in those extra 20 minutes that Jamie Wall’s outfit pulled away from their stubborn opponents.
Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock) was unavailable for the fixture
Still, there was plenty of local interest through Cian Scully (0-6, Dromin/Athlacca), Vince Harrington (Na Piarsaigh), Jimmy Quilty (Blackrock),  OisÃn O’Farrell (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan), Seán Whelan (Cappamore) and Mikey Gavin, Ballybrown.
Kilkenny’s Shane Walsh knocked over a brilliant 13 points for the winners.
The final will be live on TG4.