Heffernan on the double for UL
TWO second-half goals from sub Mikey Heffernan in the space of a minute sent the Limerick college on their way to a deserved semi-final meeting with UCC following this clash at the IT Carlow grounds last night.
UL, boasting a number of high-profile senior county stars, really hit their best form in the second half as they out-scored the home side by 3-10 to 0-7.
The opening half had been an even affair, with the sides deadlocked on seven occasions, before the visitors took a one-point lead into the interval thanks to a pointed free from their talented right full-forward Conor McGrath from Clare.
It was apparent from the start that the UL defence was a very strong unit. Superb Clare centre-back Brendan Bulger, who gave Kilkenny's TJ Reid little scope from play, was flanked by the excellent Lester Ryan and Padraig Maher. They also had pacey forwards with an eye for a score.
Scorers -- UL: M Heffernan 2-0, C McGrath 0-4 (3f), J Gallagher 1-1, L Markham 0-3, 0-1f (1 '65), J Coen, P Walsh, D Walton, D Bulter 0-2 each, M Walsh, B Beckett 0-1 each. IT Carlow: TJ Reid 0-7 (6f), T Carroll 0-3, J Maher 0-2, J Rigney, C Kenny 0-1 each.
UL: T Lowry; P Stapleton, M Walsh, C Fogarty; L Ryan, B Bulger, P Maher; L Markham, M Walsh; B Beckett, D Butler, P Walsh; D Walton, D Butler, C McGrath. Subs: M Heffernan for Walton (39); Joe Gallagher for Beckett (46); T O'Brien for Butler (51); P Kelly for McGrath (57); P Flanagan for Stapleton (59).
IT Carlow -- E Mealey; D Shaw, D Kenny, J Carroll; B Harding, R Doyle, J Rigney; P Hally, O Walsh; C Kenny, TJ Reid, J Maher; T Carroll, P Walsh, TJ Lawlor. Subs: C English for P Walsh (h-t); E Fitzpatrick for Lawler (36); C O'Donovan for Carroll (51).
Ref -- J McGrath (Westmeath).
- UL 3-18 IT Carlow 0-14
Irish Independent
