It may have taken a late quality point from full-forward Keith Hogan to save UCD’s bacon in this thrilling Fitzgibbon Cup game at WIT’s Carriganore venue yesterday, but it was well deserved on a day hurling itself was the real winner.

UCD 1-13 Waterford IT 0-13

Tipperary's Noel McGrath shot 0-11 as UCD progressed to the last eight of the Fitzgibbon Cup at Waterford IT's expense in Carriganore last night.

McGrath was outstanding for the Dublin outfit, with 0-8 of his tally coming from placed balls, while corner forward Domhnaill Fox's goal on the stroke of half-time also proved decisive. That gave UCD a 1-7 to 0-8 lead at the break, and with wind advantage to come in the second half, they looked to be in a strong position.

With Enda Barrett, Noel Connors, Brian O'Meara and top-scorer Eoin Murphy to the fore, however, Waterford refused to wilt and were just a point in arrears, 0-13 to 1-11, with eight minutes remaining. But two late points from substitute Kevin McLoughlin and McGrath saw the visitors home.

UCD now place UCC in the next round next Wednesday the 22^nd of February.

Scorers - UCD: N McGrath (0-11, 0-5 frees, 0-2 65s', 0-1 s/l); D Fox (1-0); J Gilligan, K O'Loughlin(0-1) each. WIT: E Murphy (0-11, 0-8 frees, 0-1 65'); B Burke and B O'Meara (0-1) each.

UCD: J Ryan (Galway); D Nash (Clare), M O'Hanlon (Wexford), J Dougan (Dublin); O Gough (Dublin), C Allis (Limerick), S Norton (Kilkenny); J Gannon (Kilkenny), N McGrath (Tipperary); J Gilligan (Dublin), W Walsh (Kilkenny), G Synnott (Wexford); D Fox (Galway), L. Rushe (Dublin), D Plunkett (Dublin). Sub: K O'Loughlin (Dublin) for Gilligan.

Waterford IT: A Power (Waterford); S O'Keeffe (Waterford), K Joyce (Kilkenny), N Connors (Waterford); C Hough (Tipperary), E Barrett (Clare), S Murphy (Wexford); J O'Dwyer (Tipperary), J Dowling (Kilkenny); B O'Meara (Tipperary), L Harney (Kilkenny), E Moore (Wexford); E Murphy (Kilkenny), J Dillon (Waterford) B Burke (Galway). Subs: M Sheedy (Tipperary) for O'Dwyer; E Madigan (Waterford) for O'Keeffe(38).

Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly).