Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup: UL edge out spirited University of Galway

Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup Semi-Final

UL 0-18 University of Galway 1-13

By Tom Clancy at Maguires Field, University of Limerick

A brace of stoppage time points proved the difference as University of Limerick edged beyond University of Galway and advanced to a fifth Fitzgibbon Cup final in as many seasons.

Adam Screeney’s majestic point – his fifth of the contest – and a free from Darragh McCarthy, saw off the University of Galway fightback. A late goalmouth scramble, which saw 27 players inside the UL 20-metre line brought the final act, and failed to yield a game winning goal for University of Galway.

It will be an all-Limerick final, with Mary Immaculate College the opposition at Croke Park, on Friday February 13. This contest was played in cold conditions, but a huge crowd arrived at UL’s Maguires Field, with much of the rising talent in the country on display.

UL are taking aim at a fifth Fitzgibbon Cup title, with Brian Ryan’s side looking to retain their crown won against DCU last year.

The winners had bright sparks from Screeney, Aidan O’Connor and Jack O’Neill. While they weren’t put off their stride by the concession of a Darragh Neary goal inside the opening 20 seconds.Indeed, UL led 0-11 to 1-3 by half-time, despite hitting 11 wides. University of Galway were well in the contest and missed some key openings which could have had them closer.

Liam Hoare, the rising Offaly goalkeeper, kick-started the fight back with one of three second half points from long-range frees. Neary, Greg Thomas and Daniel Comar were among their second half scorers as they never through in the towel.

However, UL’s star dust saw points from Jack Leahy and Jack O’Neill in a game that had huge momentum swings.

Galway fired off five points in a row, including one from play and from a free from Sam O’Farrell, to level the game on 58 minutes. They appeared to have the belief and momentum, but had to be wary of the UL firepower which had served them so well in their march to this stage.

It was Kilcormac-Kiloughey’s Screeney who landed that wonderful point allowing McCarthy’s free to be the insurance point. The final two plays saw a Galway win a ‘65’ which was dropped short in search of a game winning goal. However, UL survived before being greeted by the final whistle.

UL will be vying to defeat their cross-city rivals, Mary Immaculate College, who defeated them in the 2024 final.Scorers for UL: Darragh McCarthy 0-6 (6fs); Adam Screeney 0-5; Jack O’Neill 0-3; Aidan O’Connor 0-2; Oisin O’Donoghue, Jack Leahy 0-1 each.
Scorers for University of Galway: Sam O’Farrell 0-5 (2fs); Darragh Neary 1-1; Liam Hoare 0-3 (frees); Gavin Lee, Daniel Comar, Cullen Kileen, Greg Thomas 0-1 each.
UL: Darach Fahy; Conor Martin, Mark Fitzgerald, Aaron Morgan; Oisin Fitzgerald, Killian Doyle, Colin Coughlan (Capt); Joe Fitzgerald, Diarmuid Stritch; Jack O’Neill, Aidan O’Connor, Adam Screeney; Darragh McCarthy, Oisin O’Donoghue, Jack Leahy.

Subs: Jamie Ormond for Screeney (temp – 46 -49); Fintan Fitzgerald for Stritch (50)University of Galway: Liam Hoare; Joshua Ryan, Fiachra Ó Brioin, Patrick Taffee; Daniel Comar, Ben O’Donovan, Colm Cunningham; Tiarnán Leen, Ian McGlynn; Sam O’Farrell, Gavin Lee, Liam Leen; Darragh Neary, Greg Thomas, Dan Bourke.

Subs: Tiarnan Leen for Bourke (33); Diarmuid Davouren for L Leen (blood – 43-46); Michael Molloy for L Leen (57).

Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork).