Burke on the double as DCU stun Davy’s troops

DCU stunned Davy Fitzgerald’s LIT as Na Fianna clubman Donal Burke hit a goal in each half to take the honours in the opening Group C clash in Limerick.

In a feisty affair Patrick Curran landed the winning free for DCU in added time, but Eoin Roche’s side should have had an easier win such was their dominance in the first half.

“We were terrible, they wanted it way more. In Fitzgibbon hurling you find out what a hurler is made of. There were a few county hurlers out there that didn’t stand up,” said Fitzgerald.

Burke hit the first goal for his side after 11 minutes before Waterford attacker Curran blasted the second five minutes later, which eventually helped his side to an eight-point lead.

Peter Duggan and his Clare compatriot David Reidy lifted LIT with points before the break, which closed the interval lead to 2-7 to 0-8.

When Duggan blasted a penalty to the net four minutes after the restart, LIT at last looked hungry as they chased down their visitors.

With Reidy, Duggan and Oisin Kelly instrumental in the second period LIT closed the gap further, and after Reidy hit their second goal five minutes from time, Duggan levelled matters in the 61st minute.

But Curran showed admirable nerve to hit the winner, while the respective managers rounded off the entertainment with a tetchy exchange of pleasantries after the full-time whistle.