Munster Express Online

NUI Galway 1-17; Waterford IT 1-16 (AET)

It was extra-time heartbreak for Waterford IT on Saturday at Pearse Stadium, as the South East college lost their first Ulster Bank Fitzgibbon Cup final since 2002 following a last-gasp point by John Conlon in the 82nd minute.

Going in search of their first title since 2008, and a fifth in eight years, WIT looked comfortable nine minutes into the second half of normal time when they held a comfortable nine-point advantage.

Amazingly they failed to score for the remaining 21 minutes of normal time, as NUIG edged into WIT’s advantage and the Waterford outfit suddenly become unstuck in front of the posts.

This may not have been a replica of the classic extra-time battle between WIT and Limerick IT, which saw WIT claim their last title two years ago at Cork IT, but NUIG’s battling qualities to take their first title since 1980 were certainly worthy of praise.

Having come through 80 plus minutes over 24 hours earlier following a gruelling semi-final battle which included extra-time against Limerick IT, they again dug deep to provide a strong performance when it mattered most.

However it was WIT who set the ground running in this final battle played in front of a crowd in excess of 2,000 people.

WIT were more clinical than their Galway opponents during the opening half, with NUIG amassing six wides before the break, and not possessing as many scoring opportunities as the visitors in front of the posts.

See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.