Preview: Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup action
Ian McGlynn, University of Galway, Dónal Shirley, DCU Dóchas Éireann, Jack Leahy and Killian Doyle, UL, and James Duggan, UCD, pictured at the launch of the Electric Ireland Higher Education Championships at Croke Park. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup Round One
Wednesday January 7
Group D
Mary I v SETU Waterford, Mary I, 2pm
Group A
UL v Maynooth University, UL, 7.30pm
Thursday January 8
Group B
UCC v MTU Cork, Mardyke, 7.30pm
Group C
University of Galway v UCD, Dangan, 7.30pm
**Please note venues and throw-in times subject to change due to the inclement weather conditions
By Cian O'Connell
Having collected three of the last four Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup titles, hope and expectation surrounds UL in the competition.
On Wednesday evening Brian Ryan's talented outfit face Maynooth University in a Group A opener.
Inevitably, UL's panel is liberally stocked with accomplished inter-county performers, who remain eager to also flourish on the Fitzgibbon stage.
Limerick's Cathal O'Neill, Adam English, and Colin Coughlan have enjoyed productive days for college and county. Tipperary's Oisín O'Donoghue and Darragh McCarthy delivered when it truly counted at Croke Park. Galway's Darach Fahy, Offaly's Adam Screeney, and Waterford's Mark Fitzgerald are others available for UL.
It will be a daunting task for Maynooth University, who have summoned some gritty performances in this tournament in recent years.
Kilkenny's Michael Brennan and Harry Shine, and Westmeath's Eamonn Cunneen are key performers for Maynooth.
Earlier in the afternoon in Limerick, Mary I's clash against SETU Waterford will also be worth monitoring.
In the last decade Mary I have won three Fitzgibbons, while also losing in two finals.
Galway's Darragh Walsh, Clare's Adam Hogan and Daithi Lohan, Tipperary's Joe Caesar and Limerick's Shane O'Brien are all involved.
SETU Waterford will be looking to Offaly's Cathal King, Waterford's Cathal Keane and Wexford's Luke Codd for inspiration.
In Dangan, on Thursday, University of Galway tussle with UCD.
Tipperary's Sam O'Farrell and Offaly's Charlie Mitchell and Dan Bourke, and Galway's Gavin Lee are capable players for the home team.
For UCD, Dublin's Diarmaid Ó Dulaing impressed
in the Dioralyte Walsh Cup at the weekend, while Kilkenny's Luke Connellan, and Sligo's Robert O'Kelly Lynch are accomplished hurlers.
The Cork derby at the Mardyke will attract a healthy crowd.
UCC, featuring Tipperary's Darragh Stakelum and Peter McGarry, will be aware of the threat a pumped up MTU Cork carry.
Kanturk's Alan Walsh, St Catherine's Fionn O'Connell, and Midleton's Mikey Finn are some of MTU Cork's promising crop players.
