Last year's Munster finalists Limerick and Cork along with UCC advanced to the semi-finals of the Waterford Crystal Cup this afternoon.
Limerick secured their first victory over inter-county opposition in the provincial competition in nine years after a gritty 2-15 to 1-15 victory over Waterford in Kilmallock.
Waterford led the way for the majority of the opening half with Martin O'Neill (0-3) and Jake Dillon (1-2) providing the visitors with a healthy 1-7 to 0-3 cushion by the 26th minute.
However, Limerick would eventually settle with points from Thomas O'Brien (2), debutant Cian Lynch and Adrian Breen before the latter closed out the opening period with an injury-time opportunist goal to cut the arrears to the minimum at 1-8 to 1-7.
Limerick had the edge on the restart however, with fellow substitutes Donal O'Grady and Tom Morrissey reeling in Waterford while a fortuitous 45 minute goal handed the home side the lead for the first time.
It stemmed from an O'Grady delivery that broke off Patrick Begley and marker Shane Fives to trickle over the line at 2-9 to 1-9.
That score would prove the difference for the remainder as Limerick, helped by newcomers Lynch and Morrissey, were able to match anything that Waterford could throw at them to seal a last four place.
Limerick will face UCC in next week's semi-final following the students' high scoring 2-23 to 2-14 victory over hosts Kerry in Austin Stack Park in Tralee.
Kerry started well to build up a 0-6 to 0-3 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
However, the game would alter dramatically with the first penalty of the year that was excellently repelled by UCC goalkeeper David O'Gorman from Shane Nolan in the 24th minute.
That save from the Midleton native would prove inspirational for the students who would bounce back with a remarkable tally of nine unanswered points in as many minutes to hold a 0-12 to 0-06 interval advantage.
To their credit, Kerry fought back valiantly with goals from Adrian Royle and Padraig Boyle to gain parity by the 40th minute.
However, UCC were the more consistent side and cemented victory with timely goals of their own through Brian Hartnett and Shane O'Keeffe.
Late goals were also crucial in Cork's 4-15 to 1-13 win over student Rebels CIT on away soil.
Substitute Daniel Kearney and Darren McCarthy's strikes ensured that Jimmy Barry Murphy's side avoided a nervy finish after the home side had reduced Cork's lead to one entering the final ten minutes.
It was close throughout with Paudie O'Sullivan and Stephen Moylan goals sandwiching one from Kevin Kavanagh to hold a 2-6 to 1-7 half-time lead.
Cork now face the winners of tomorrow's derby between Clare and Tipperary in next weekend's semi-final.
Waterford Crystal Cup Quarter-final Results
Limerick 2-15 Waterford 1-15
UCC 2-23 Kerry 2-14
Cork 4-15 Cork IT 1-13
